This book was so much fun! I felt like I was reading a grown up version of Scooby Doo with the ghosts, kooky cast of characters, and the murder mystery. All the characters were hilarious and I loved the little side of enemies to lovers romance. I'm excited to see what's next for Melody Bittersweet and the gang. This is the perfect cozy book for fall!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine/Dell for the eARC!

This was such a fun story, and a really intriguing mystery. I loved the mix of humor and mystery (and sexual chemistry). I loved the cast of characters - I couldn't get enough of Artie. I loved the way the mystery evolved, and I liked the interactions with Melody's nemesis and the skeptic. Melody's interactions with Fletcher were hilarious (and hot). And each brother ghost was so fun - I love the way Silver gave them each such different personalities. I'm looking forward to reading another Melody Bittersweet mystery.

Crazy Spooky Love by Josie Silver is a funny, charming, magical adventure. Melody Bittersweet can see and communicate with ghosts and has decided to open the Girls' Ghostbusting Agency as a way of branching out on her own. With the help of her best friend Marina and Artie, the son of a ghost she recently met, the team is hired to clear out ghosts at the Scarborough House. She is competing against her ex-boyfriend Leo and dealing with the skeptical (and handsome) local reporter Fletch while attempting to solve the mystery of the Scarborough brothers who are inhabiting the house. This book was absolutely hysterical and I could barely put it down! The author was able to weave such a fun and enchanting tale that kept me engaged in the story. I loved all the characters and how they all have their own unique personality that enhances the story. I found myself laughing out loud for most of the book, while holding in tears a few times as well. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Thank y0u Netgalley, Ballantine, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley & Ballantine for the E-ARC! So cute! Fun paranormal setting & banter. Another great book by this author. Excited for book 2!

This was such a fun read. I really liked the mix of light spooky moments with a cozy small-town setting. Melody was easy to root for—she’s determined but also a little messy, and I loved that she wanted to actually help ghosts move on instead of just listening to them.

The ghostbusting business idea was cute, and the haunted house mystery kept me turning the pages. The ghost brothers were funny and chaotic, which added some good energy to the story.

And Fletcher, the skeptical reporter… I liked their back-and-forth so much. The banter felt natural, and I enjoyed watching their chemistry build.

Okay this was fun! I didn’t have really any expectation going into this, but this was a pleasant surprise!

I was willing to give Josie Silver another try specially wanting a fun spooky romance, but I think she's just not the author for me. I don't seem to connect to her writing style.

Josie Silver has been branching out into new territory, and while I’m the biggest fan of her first four books, I’m not mad at this development.
You see, it’s still the same Silver, with her lyrical and gut wrenching prose and singular way of evoking emotions from me I didn’t know I had. It’s just wrapped up in a different package now. A fun, quirky package that I think everyone will love. I think Josie Silver is on a writing roll and I never want her to stop!

🌟🌟🌟💫
Have you ever been embarrassed to introduce someone to your family? Is your family just shy of normal?

Melody Bittersweet sure has! All the women in her family see dead people! Nope…that wasn’t a typo! They can actually converse with them! And even have a family business helping people make contact with their departed loved ones.

Now it’s time for Melody to leave the nest and start her own business of ghost hunting! With the help of her friend Marina, and their new hire Artie, (who I adored) they’re ready to tackle those pesky unwanted ghosts.

Speaking of unwanted…guess who’s back in town? Melody’s ex-boyfriend Leo.🙄 And wouldn’t you know…he’s a "celebrity ghost-er"! Leo and Melody are now fighting for the same job of ridding the resident ghosts at the old Scarborough home. And to add to the mix we have Fletcher Gunn, the very sexy reporter. And a one eared Pug named Lestat. What a crew!

I enjoyed Melody’s character and her supporting team of both ghost chasers and love interests. Overall, a quirky and fun, cozy mystery mixed with romance and a few ghosts of course!

✍️ Josie Silver
🗓️ September 2 2025
💭 Paranormal romance
📈 3.5/5🌟
👉 Though not a favorite from this author it’s perfect for the upcoming spooky season.🎃🧙‍♀️

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine / Dell

Josie Silver’s Crazy Spooky Love is a delightful plunge into the charming world of ghost hunting, making it an ideal read for anyone looking to enrich their fall TBR list with something both fun and atmospheric.

As the first book in a series, it creates a Halloween-ready setting with endearing characters that aren't just supporting characters but stand out, such as Lestat the pug, the Sherlock Holmes-dressed TV medium ex and ghost recommended assistant. This cast of figures creates a captivating story that'll have you rooting for Melody and her family business against all odds.

Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine, for this eARC out this September!

This is a departure for Josie Silver to write a ghost story, but I can tell she had a fun time doing it. This is a book not meant to be taken too seriously and so it is a fun escape from reality with sitcom worthy characters. There are actually a lot of minor characters that are well developed. It was lots of fun to hang out with Melody as she opened her own business (ghostbusting) with her best friend and an unlikely charity case who they grew to adore as a dear friend, buy a clunker mobile that they decked out for business, look out for the needs of the departed, solve a murder mystery, reunite relatives and explore her own complicated (and lustful) feelings for the men in her life. The spice level was probably a two--easy to skip over because it was short and I think twice. Silver definitely sets us up to want to see what will happen next for the Girl Ghostbusting Agency which is already titled Kooky Spooky Love. This book's publication date is September 2, 2025. Thank you to #netgalley and #RandomHousePublishingGroup #Ballantine for my ARC of this fun book.

Josie Silver’s Crazy Spooky Love is a quirky, heartfelt blend of paranormal mystery and romantic comedy that hits just the right notes for a cozy fall read. Set in the charming town of Chapelwick, the story follows Melody Bittersweet—a plucky medium from a long line of ghost-sensitive women—who decides to carve out her own path by launching the Girls’ Ghostbusting Agency. Right away, she’s thrown into a case involving three ghostly brothers haunting a grand old house, and things spiral into a tangled web of unfinished business, murder, and romantic chaos.

What makes this book shine is Melody herself. She’s witty, stubborn, and refreshingly imperfect. Her dynamic with Leo Dark, her fame-chasing ex, and Fletcher Gunn, the skeptical (and annoyingly attractive) local reporter, adds layers of tension and humor that keep the pages turning. The love triangle is messy in all the right ways, and the ghost-hunting backdrop gives the story a fun, spooky twist without ever feeling too heavy.

Silver’s writing is breezy and engaging, and while the plot occasionally leans into predictability, the characters and setting more than make up for it. Chapelwick feels like a place you’d want to visit—if you’re okay with a few ghosts popping in unannounced.

If you’re looking for something lighthearted with a dash of supernatural intrigue and a whole lot of heart, Crazy Spooky Love is worth the read. It’s a great pick for fans of paranormal romance who appreciate a strong female lead and a story that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

This was so fun and entertaining, very reminiscent of Scooby Doo but if there were only 3 people in the gang and Scooby was a sugar-loving pug named Lestat. Also even though this is called Crazy Spooky Love the ghost-hunting story is more the focus and the romance is a fun little side journey.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC!

👻 Bookish Thoughts
Looking for a fun and lighthearted paranormal romance? Crazy Spooky Love is your book!
This was a quirky, low-angst romance that kept me lauhing.

I really loved Melody and the rest of the Girls' Ghostbusting Agency. I mean… a ghostbusting agency?? SOLD! Melody’s family was hilarious too. Sure, her mom drives her nuts, but she was a whole mood and I loved it. The banter in general was chef’s kiss.

The mystery portion was cute and entertaining. It did drag a bit, and I definitely thought the book started off a lot stronger. I wasn't sold on the romance portion of the book, but overall this was a solid 4-star read!

🖤 What to Expect
• Medium FMC
• Love triangle
• Ghostbusting agency
• Haunted house mystery
• Quirky side characters
_____

📅 Pub Date: September 2, 2025
Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

This was my first Josie Silver book, and based on what I’ve read about her other work, it seems to be a bit of a departure. I’ll admit, it was a little hard to get into at first; some of the quirkier elements read as slightly juvenile. But once the story dove into the central mystery and the relationship threads started to unfold, I was hooked.

Though it’s marketed as a romance, this book leans more toward paranormal cozy mystery. The story revolves around the case of the Scarborough house and the ghosts who inhabit it. Romantic elements are present—and there’s plenty of spice—but the cozy mystery remains the focus. This is the first book in a series, with the second releasing shortly after. While the central mystery reaches a satisfying conclusion, the romantic storyline is left open-ended. Readers seeking a complete romantic resolution in a single book may want to keep that in mind.

Melody Bittersweet is the heart of the story. Like her mother and grandmother, she can see ghosts. While they run their own paranormal business, she’s ready to strike out on her own with her own “ghostbusting” venture—helping spirits resolve unfinished business so they can move on. Melody is sweet and quirky, with just enough edge to avoid veering into “Manic Pixie” territory.

Her life—and her work—are further complicated by two very different men. Leo Dark, Melody’s ex-boyfriend and fellow ghost hunter, is less true adversary and more nuisance, the kind of guy who favors style over substance and mostly serves to get in her way. And Fletcher Gunn, skeptical local newsman, is determined to discredit her work—yet Melody can’t help noticing how infuriatingly attractive he is.

The romance subplot between Fletcher and Melody brings an enemies-to-lovers, will-they-won’t-they, opposites-attract energy. Their chemistry is frequently described as “off the charts,” though it’s more stated than shown—understandable given how much this first book had to accomplish.

The supporting cast adds warmth and humor: Melody’s meddlesome but well-meaning mother and grandmother, her fierce best friend Marina, her awkward assistant Artie, and the three ghostly Scarborough brothers, whose unresolved murder case is engaging and bittersweet.

Initially, I wasn’t certain the tone of the book would suit me, but it won me over by the end. I laughed out loud several times, and even teared up toward the end. Fans of paranormal mysteries, cozy vibes with a supernatural twist, and love-to-hate-you romantic tension will likely enjoy this one.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this town, ghosts aren't just scary stories; they're an everyday occurrence, at least for Melody Bittersweet and her family. And when she decides to embark on the adventure of starting her ghost-hunting business, she's on the ride of a lifetime. In this story, you'll encounter a murder mystery, great friendships, and romance you never saw coming.

I enjoyed this book so much! I thought it was hilarious. I will say, however, I think this would've been better as just a funny fiction book rather than being labeled a romance. I just wasn't captivated by it; I didn't even realize who the main love interest would be until more than halfway through. Or I guess that there were 2? I didn't even see how this was a love triangle throughout it. It felt like she was having fun writing a story of friends and ghosts and forgot there was supposed to be a romance, and rushed it in at the end.

I loved Fletcher as a character, but as a romantic partner? I wasn't convinced. The disdain he and Melody had for each other was so palpable that I couldn't even begin to see how there was going to be a romance. And then out of the blue, the lusting and sexual "tension" just felt wrong and unbelievable due to how out of left field it came. Like from the other field's left field. His hate relationship and bickering with Melody, whom I loved and adored, made him a great character, but when he was introduced, I expected him to be a protagonist, not someone she could eventually fall in love with. Considering he doesn't believe anything about her and her family, and all the hate he would write about them and their abilities to see ghosts.

I'm also not a fan of Leo either as a love interest (or possible?). The way he treated Melody before their interactions towards the end of the book. I would be so mad if my friend got back with their ex who treated them how Leo treated them.

BUT, regardless of the negatives in the romance, this book was so fun and enjoyable outside of the romance. It gave off the vibes of the Scooby Doo gang, and I was here for it. Lived for it. Ate it up!
I know i complained about the romance.... in a romance book.... but I seriously would recommend if you just want a great fun time and the romance is just a second thought for you.

3.75 stars! ⭐️ Crazy Spooky Love was a really cute paranormal romcom! I love the mystery aspect of the story and I can’t wait to see what happens in Book 2!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC. All opinions are my own 🫶🏼

Perfect start to your spooky season reads! I loved the various relationships between family, former flames and enemies. the banter was great and the ghosts were lovable!

When I heard Josie Silver was coming out with a paranormal romance, I was intrigued. Although the concept of this book was great (ghostbusters!), the execution didn't quite land for me. I had a hard time connecting with Melody's character. I found it hard to relate to her. I thought Melody and a few of the other side characters came off a little cliche. The romance just didn't hit the way I wanted. I didn't feel the chemistry I wanted with the two guys. I did enjoy the Bittersweet women! I liked their antics and family dynamic. I also liked Melody, Marina, and Archie's friendship. It felt genuine and fun. As for the pacing, it wasn't the best. It was tough to stay fully invested in the story. I think this book will hit most with seasonal readers. Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the ARC.

2 ⭐️’s. I’ve been wanting to read a Josie Silver book for a while now and was lucky enough to be picked to read an arc for Crazy Spooky Love.

This book was unfortunately not for me, so I’ll get straight to the point.

Things I liked: the quirky and unique characters gave this book energy and I loved the family dynamics of the Bittersweet women being able to see ghosts.

Things I didn’t like: the humor was not for me and pulled me out pretty consistently. The pacing of the book was also a struggle. By time we get to the end I didn’t even care much about the mystery/solving the murder. I also didn’t feel any chemistry or connection between either of the love interests.

I unfortunately will not be reading the second book, but I’ve heard such great things about One Day in December so I might consider giving that a go still.

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the free arc in exchange for an honest review 💕