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Member Reviews

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

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I enjoy a cute love story and I felt like this had much more potential. The love triangle was there but it wasn't, if that makes sense lol!

It was an easy read, the pace of the story line was good so that helped.

For this being my first book from this author, I feel like it wasn't a bad start!

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This is a big genre departure from other Josie Silver books I’ve read. I expected it to be kooky, and it was, but it also has Josie Silver’s fantastic voice and storytelling, so I found it very enjoyable.
The supernatural zaniness reminded me of the Riley Thorne Series by Lucy Score.
It was fun and the friend bonds and romance bits were lovely.
I appreciated the justice for the family at the end.

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You know what? I like my romances with a twist. Specifically a mystery twist. Josie Silver has written what appear to be more “traditional,” emotional romances, but this was my first read by her and I liked it! It was zany and silly and whimsical. The first in a new series about a ghost hunter named Melody Bittersweet and Fletcher, the cutie news reporter she falls for, this isn’t paranormal romance, but rather a human romance with a paranormal element. I liked the ghost brothers who haunt a house that Melody is tasked with removing and I found the paranormal element to be a fun addition to the story, but I could see that part of it feeling a little disconnected to more seasoned romance readers. I didn’t love the love triangle part of this, mostly because the third member of this one, Melody’s ex, sucks, but people who enjoy love triangles might be more into that aspect. This would be a sweet read around the transition to fall.

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I was incredibly disappointed this book. It's slow and dramatic but doesn't really do much. I love a spooky/halloween romance, but this wasn't it.

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I really enjoyed the josie books i have read so far. I liked this one but didnt love it. While we do have a love triangle it didnt feel very authentic. Only one choice really felt right. I liked the mystery but at times it kinda dragged. I enjoyed the spooky light feel of the book but i am use to a little more emotion from this author. This is a good palette cleanser book.

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It was okay. I’m debating on whether to go for 4 stars but my hesitation is due to the love triangle.
I’m not against said tripe but gosh Leo was just an AH. Like too much of one to even feel like a love triangle lol it was like.. there’s one very clear choice here!!

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This is a very light-hearted and easy to read spooky mystery rom-com.

This follows Melody, a medium with a "ghost-busting" business in a cute little spooky town (I was picturing a town like the one in Practical Magic). Melody ends up having to deal with ghost and ghouls, but also her ex and a local reporter (who just so happens to be quite the skeptic, as well as very attractive).

This was a very fun and quick read for me, but I wanted more from it. I didn't feel as if the characters really had all that much chemistry. I just needed more from the characters and their development. They just didn't feel that real to me, I couldn't connect to them the way I wanted to for this kind of book. (I have heard great things about her other books, so I will definitely be looking into those.)

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

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I am a big fan of Josie Silver's emotional romance novels, and recently I had the chance to read her latest venture into a romcom with a paranormal twist. I truly admire that she’s willing to branch out and experiment with different genres, showing she’s not afraid to take risks with her storytelling. While I enjoyed parts of Crazy Spooky Love—especially the cleverly woven mystery—I have to admit that this one didn’t quite hit the same emotional marks for me as her previous works have.

The story follows Melody Bittersweet, a plucky medium setting up her own ghost-busting agency in her charming hometown, dealing with chaotic spirits, a fame-seeking ex-boyfriend, and a skeptical, frustratingly attractive local reporter. The setup is fun, creative, and the ghost mystery surrounding the Scarborough brothers was genuinely intriguing. I appreciated the playful, slightly spooky atmosphere—perfect for readers looking for a seasonal, cozy vibe without anything too dark or heavy.

However, characterization was where I found myself a little less connected. Melody, while spirited and quirky, often felt a bit exaggerated to me, and the humor occasionally leaned too much into zany territory, making it harder to stay immersed in her emotional journey. As someone who is a little older than the target reader for this book,

The love triangle element also wasn’t my favorite part. It felt fairly obvious who Melody should end up with from the start. Leo, the arrogant ex, was difficult to root for, while Fletcher, the charming and grounded reporter, brought a much-needed warmth to the narrative and was easily the most endearing character of the bunch. Since I’m personally not a huge fan of love triangles in general, this plotline didn't add much tension for me—though I know other readers who might enjoy that kind of drama will have a lot of fun with it.

Despite my mixed feelings, there’s no denying Josie Silver’s gift for writing engaging, heartfelt scenes. The pacing was lively, the mystery had enough twists to keep me entertained, and the overall feel of the book was light, whimsical, and enjoyable. Even though Crazy Spooky Love didn’t become a new favorite, I am still a loyal fan and am more than happy to follow wherever Josie Silver’s imagination leads next—even if that means ghost-hunting adventures!

This one earned a solid three stars from me: a fun, creative story that just didn’t completely click with my reading tastes. But I absolutely admire the fresh direction, and I will be eagerly awaiting her future works.

A huge thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Dell for sharing this spooky and charming digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts!

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What a fun little witchy story. If you like humorous banter, cozy, spooky plots, multiple love interests and of course, ghosts filled with sibling rivalry, this story is for you. Personally, I loved the horror spooky sleuthing part of this book the most. Every time the Scarborough brothers were part of the plot, I was entirely engaged.

The romance in the story was just not my cup of tea. I like the love triangle, semi enemy to lovers bit, but both men are ridiculously arrogant and equally annoying. It makes me appreciate my non-problematic husband though!

This is a perfect spooky, cozy little romance for a quick read and many laughs.

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Cute concept, messy vibes…

Crazy Spooky Love had a lot going for it: ghosts, haunted houses, a ghost-sensitive family, and some chaotic romance energy. I was so into the premise, but the actual execution felt kind of scattered.

Melody is quirky and determined, and I liked that she wasn’t your typical romcom lead. But the humor sometimes felt like it was trying a little too hard to be wacky, and I didn’t always connect with her like I wanted to.

The romance was… fine. Fletcher had his moments, but the chemistry didn’t totally hit for me. Leo was pure drama. I didn’t feel super invested in either love interest, so the romance parts didn’t really sweep me away.

That said, the ghost mystery was fun! The Scarborough brothers were chaotic in the best way, and the whole haunted house setup was a vibe. I just wish the pacing had been tighter because some parts dragged, and others flew by.

If you’re looking for something light, seasonal, and a little spooky (but not scary), this could still be a fun read. Just maybe lower your expectations on the romance and character depth.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this ARC

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i tried, forgive me i TRIED but this may be the one josie silver book i’ll have to sit out on! mind you she was heavy on the spooky seasonal vibes so reading it in spring maybe wasn’t the greatest idea 😭

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“Crazy Spooky Love” is a light, quirky mystery with a dash of romance. The book should have been perfect for me, but unfortunately it didn’t completely work for me.

One of the main issues I had was the constant pop culture references. There were too many, and I found them annoying. I especially disliked the Harry Potter mentions. I wish authors would stop referencing the series, given how problematic JKR has been for years now.

The characters were a strange bunch, but they did have personality. They were fun in a way, though often a bit too over-the-top.

The mystery was somewhat interesting, and there were a couple of twists I liked. Still, I never really felt pulled into the story, it all felt a bit silly due to the characters.

I also wasn’t a huge fan of the romance. Leo came across as arrogant and rude, and I didn’t understand why Melody liked him, aside from being physically attracted to him. Fletcher, on the other hand, was more likable and seemed to treat her better.

The humor felt forced at times, and the book probably could’ve been shorter.

Overall, it was okay. Kind of fun in places, but not something I loved or would necessarily recommend.

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