Josie Silver’s Crazy Spooky Love delivers exactly what the title promises—humor, hauntings, and a heart-tugging tangle of romance. This charming paranormal rom-com is the perfect blend of cozy ghost story and witty love triangle, making it a fantastic kickoff to what promises to be a delightfully spooky series.

At the center of the story is Melody Bittersweet, a quirky and endearing medium from a long line of ghost-whisperers in the picturesque town of Chapelwick. Unlike her message-passing relatives, Melody wants to help restless spirits move on, and she’s determined to carve out her own space in the ghostbusting world. Her first case—a haunted manor plagued by three bickering ghost brothers—sets the tone for the rest of the novel: eerie, unpredictable, and packed with character-driven chaos.

Silver’s writing sparkles with humor and charm, and Melody is a standout protagonist. She’s equal parts vulnerable and determined, with just enough snark to hold her own against the men vying for her attention. Enter Leo Dark, the fame-hungry ex-boyfriend and rival ghost-hunter, and Fletcher Gunn, the brooding, skeptical reporter who can’t quite stay away. The love triangle adds tension and emotional complexity, but it never overshadows the ghostly mystery at the story’s heart.

The pacing dips slightly in the middle, and some of the supporting characters—though colorful—lean a bit too far into caricature at times. But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise highly enjoyable read. What really shines here is Silver’s ability to balance the spooky with the sweet, and the absurd with the sincere.

Crazy Spooky Love is perfect for readers who love their romance with a side of ectoplasm and a generous helping of snark. If you’re a fan of Ghosts (the BBC series), or you wish your rom-coms had more spectral interference, this one’s for you.

Looking forward to what Melody Bittersweet and Blithe Spirits get up to next—there’s definitely more ghostly mayhem (and romantic tension) on the horizon.

Recommended for: fans of paranormal romance, cozy mysteries, ghost stories with humor, and anyone who loves a spirited heroine with a lot of heart.

⭐⭐⭐

Crazy Spooky Love
Author: Josie Silver
Source: NetGalley
Publication Date: Sept. 2, 2025

Get ready for a spooky and cheerful fall read with ‘Crazy Spooky Love’! This book is packed with ghosts, a ghost-busting squad, and a pair of psychics who are more fun than they are spooky. It’s got terrific backup characters and some seriously fun moments. It might not win a Pulitzer, but sometimes, a good laugh is just what we need after a deep dive into a serious book.

Meet Melody, who can see dead people just like her mom and grandma. But she’s not as crazy as her relatives and wants to make a name for herself since has just turned 27. She teams up with her best friend and a hired hand to start a business and gets their first paying gig. All they have to do is solve a decades-old murder. Along the way, they meet a potential love interest (Melody’s been on a dry spell lately).

As this quirky group of characters tries to solve a murder, they’ll have you chuckling at their zany antics. It’s a lighthearted and fun read that’s perfect for a cozy fall evening. So, grab a cup of hot cocoa and dive into ‘Crazy Spooky Love’!

#CrazySpookyLove @josiesilverauthor #romance #ghosts #iseedeadpeople #psychic #optimism #tomfoollery #cheeky @netgalley @ballantinebooks
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I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel.

Melody Bittersweet is born into a family of mediums. She has just turned 27 and decided to open up a ghost busting business with her best friend Marina. She’s on her first case getting rid of ghosts at a haunted mansion so that the owner can sell it. While there she runs into her ex boyfriend Leo, who is also a medium. She also runs into Fletcher, a reporter who makes it his life’s work to prove that mediums are scam artists. The haunted house she is working at is being haunted by three brothers. They are stuck in that house until they mystery of who killed one of the brothers, Douglas is solved. While she is trying to solve the mystery she has multiple encounters with Leo and Fletcher.

The is a departure from her other
straight romance books. This was a paranormal mystery with a hint of romance and spice. I’ll be honest it took me a minute for me to get invested. It started off slower but once I was in, I was hooked. I found it was really funny and I loved all the pop culture references. I will definitely be continuing the series. I’m excited to see what happens.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for providing the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this book!! It made me get into the Halloween spirit even tho its not fall yet!! I’m definitely picking this book up around spooky season.

I have been a long time fan of Josie Silver’s writing style and her endlessly romantic novels. ‘A Winter in New York’ was a 5 star read for me so I was excited to see that she was entering a new genre.

Crazy Spooky Love has ghosts, haunted houses, and a set of quirky characters. Perfect for fall and readers looking for a little spooky fun. Melody was a unique FMC, which played well with the premise of the story. The love triangle didn’t hold me as well as I had hoped.
I didn’t love this one as much as Josie’s others novels, but again, a different type of novel is hard when you associate an author with strictly romance.

Thank you to Ballantine, a Random House Publishing Group, and Netgalley for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

(★★★½☆) Crazy Spooky Love is a lighthearted, slightly chaotic mix of ghosts, romance, and small-town charm. Melody Bittersweet is a fun and quirky heroine who decides to take her ghost-sensitive family legacy in a new direction—by helping spirits move on rather than just chatting with them. Her first real case, involving three bickering ghost brothers haunting a crumbling mansion, sets the stage for a madcap mystery full of sass, secrets, and plenty of supernatural hijinks.

Josie Silver has a knack for witty banter and quirky characters, and that’s where this book shines. Melody’s voice is fun and relatable, and the cast around her—from her over-the-top ex Leo Dark to the infuriatingly skeptical (but undeniably swoon-worthy) Fletcher Gunn—keeps things entertaining. The ghost story adds just enough mystery to keep you turning the pages, even if the plot does wander off course now and then in favor of comic detours.

The romance side of things is a bit of a mixed bag. The love triangle doesn’t feel entirely balanced—Leo comes off more cartoonish than compelling—but the spark between Melody and Fletcher is sharp and satisfying. Still, the emotional depth takes a backseat to the antics, so if you’re hoping for a heartstring-tugging romance, you might be left wanting more. That said, Crazy Spooky Love is a fun, cozy read with good vibes and ghostly giggles—perfect for when you want something playful with a touch of the paranormal.

4.5⭐

I typically steer away from anything paranormal but I love Josie Silver so I had to Crazy Spooky Love a chance. I'm so happy I did, because Melody and her crew are a vibe! I love her best friend, Marina, and the why/how behind hiring Artie was so sweet. Melody's gran is my favorite kind of old lady, champagne guzzling and a little bit bonkers. The ex-boyfriend/business rival with his own posse of followers and a cynical journalist trying to catch her "faking it" made for some great romantic tension. This was such a fun read and I'm thrilled this is the first in a new trio of stories.

👻 Ghostly Hijinks and Romantic Entanglements: A Delightful Paranormal Adventure 🎩

1. Welcome to Chapelwick: Where Ghosts and Romance Collide 🌟
*Crazy Spooky Loveby Josie Silver is a refreshing foray into the world of paranormal romance, offering a vibrant mix of humor and heart. Set in the charming town of Chapelwick, the story revolves around Melody Bittersweet—a quirky medium navigating both ghostly escapades and romantic tensions.

2. A Spirited Love Triangle: Unpredictably Entertaining 💖
Melody, our plucky protagonist, finds herself caught in an unusual love triangle involving her fame-chasing ex, Leo Dark, and the charmingly skeptical reporter, Fletcher Gunn. The chemistry is palpable, and the romantic tension is as haunting as the ghosts that inhabit the plot!

3. Ghostly Adventures and Zany Twists: A Fresh Take on Romance 😂
Balancing ghostbusting antics with emotional depth, Silver crafts a story that’s both whimsical and engaging. The antics of the ghostly Scarborough brothers add mystery and hilarity to the plot, creating a delightful fusion of romance and the supernatural.

4. Characters That Shine: Quirky, Relatable, and Endearing 🌈
The Bittersweet family—complete with their ghost-sensitive legacy—and Melody’s adventures provide a rich backdrop for vibrant character interactions. Lestat, the scene-stealing dog, adds a humorous twist to every scene he’s in, making the story even more charming.

5. An Invitation to Fall in Love with the Unseen: A Promising Start to a Series 🕯️
As the first in a ghost-hunting series, this book’s enchanting mix of romance and mystery promises an exciting journey ahead. Silver’s trademark wit and narrative style make it a compelling read, setting the stage for further thrilling adventures with Melody and her crew.

Final Thoughts 📚
*Crazy Spooky Loveis a bewitching blend of romance, humor, and mystery that captivates from the very first page. Josie Silver’s exploration of the supernatural in a romantic context is imaginative and refreshing, making this novel a must-read for fans of love stories with a spooky twist. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Whether you're avidly following the Bittersweet family’s ghostly pursuits or swept up in Melody’s charming romantic antics, this novel is sure to leave you smiling and yearning for more. 🌟

With Crazy Spooky Love, Josie Silver creates such a cozy and quirky world in Chapelwick that I honestly never wanted to leave. Melody Bittersweet is the perfect messy and stubborn heroine. She tries to balance running her ghostbusting business with surviving a chaotic love triangle. The mix of ghostly chaos and romantic tension kept me completely hooked. If you’re looking for a romantic comedy with a supernatural twist that actually makes you laugh out loud, try this!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a cute and fun start to a new paranormal romance mystery series. The characters are quirky yet also somehow relatable…and of course the dog Lestat steals every scene he’s in. At times, it felt like there were maybe more pop culture references than it needed, but also I tend to love that so bring on the next book in the series.

I do not usually read ghost stories or books where I need to believe in other worlds, but this author is a must-read for me. I'm so pleased with the book I just finished, and I think others will eat it up! It's humorous and entertaining, with writing only Silver can get right! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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!

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.