Melody Bittersweet sees dead people. As do her mother and Gran. This is the plight of the Bittersweet women, and Melody is embracing it by opening her own Girl Ghostbusters business. Her first job puts her head-to-head with her former love and embroils her in unraveling a century-old fratricide. This was unexpectedly delightful! A quirky cast of characters, a lovable pug, a paranormal murder mystery, and a side of romance - what more can you ask for? This is the perfect cozy story to get you in the mood for spooky season without making you sleep with the lights on.

Thank you to Josie Silver, Ballantine, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

ARC REVIEW
Crazy Spooky Love by Josie Silver
4 out of 5

Synopsis:
Melody Bittersweet, a quirky medium from a long line of ghost whisperers, decides on her 27th birthday to launch her own ghostbusting agency, Blithe Spirits, in the charming town of Chapelwick. Her first case involves a haunted manor plagued by three mischievous ghost brothers. Melanie's journey becomes more complicated when her fame hungry ex, Leo Dark, and a skeptical (but annoyingly attractive) local reporter, Fletcher Gunn, butt heads in the same mystery. Of course, romantic sparks fly as Melody uncovers secrets, confronts her past, and tries to keep her heart and business intact.

Review:
Crazy Spooky Love is a playful, whimsical start to Josie Silver's leap into paranormal romance rom coms. It charms with its ghostly antics, seasonal setting, and smarts, though it occasionally wobbles in emotional weight and pacing. If you're in the mood for fun, light reading with a haunted twist, it's a delightful pick and it lays a solid foundation for further adventures with Melody and her team.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC and a chance to review this book before its release. Crazy Spooky Love by Josie Silver hits shelves September 2! Be sure to support your local independent bookstores.

The story follows protagonist Hallie, a woman reeling from heartbreak and stuck in a life that feels suspended—until she moves into an old house with a mysterious history and meets... well, a ghost. But not just any ghost—Julian, the charming spirit of a man who died decades earlier and hasn’t quite moved on. As the two develop a strangely intimate connection across realms, the story explores grief, longing, second chances, and the age-old question of what it really means to live—and to love.

Silver’s writing shines with its trademark warmth and wit. She handles the supernatural elements with surprising subtlety, grounding the paranormal in emotional realism. The chemistry between Hallie and Julian is tender and offbeat, and while the premise flirts with absurdity, the story remains anchored in heartfelt character development. Secondary characters are equally well-drawn, offering moments of levity and insight that enhance the central relationship.

A fun book with quirky characters, unique in storyline with them able to connect with the spirits caught between worlds. I enjoyed the storyline, the bit of romance, but not the detailed salacious moments between Melody and Fletcher (not necessary). But Melody is such a good character, and loved her best friend relationship and also taking on the underdog as part of her ghost-busting team. Perfect choice for this Fall for any book club that wants a mystery but something cozy and cute. Many thanks for #netgalley #josiesilver #craxyspookylove for the chance to read nd review this book.

This magical cover lured me in... and I had so much genuine fun?

This was my first Josie Silver book, and to put it into perspective—I immediately ran to NetGalley to request Kooky Spooky Love (book 2).
I truly adored this slightly messy, extremely humorous paranormal romcom-slash-detective story—both parts were executed brilliantly.

Melody Bittersweet has my whole heart. Maybe it’s because I’m also turning 27 this year, but I saw so much of myself in her. I loved being able to relate to this MC.

Every side character was gold!
But it was the mystery that really kept me invested—even if it was a little obvious. Don’t expect anything too serious, this one’s purely for funsies.

Definitely recommend putting Crazy Spooky Love on your fall TBRs!

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Dell for the DRC!

I picked up Crazy Spooky Love because the premise sounded so different from the usual romance novels I read. It ended up being way more charming and lighthearted than scary, which I really loved.

The main character is so relatable, trying to sort out her life while all this weird supernatural stuff keeps popping up. There were a couple of moments that were a little creepy, but overall it felt playful and sweet.

If you enjoy romance with a touch of ghostly mystery and lots of feel-good moments, you should definitely check this out. It was the perfect mix of fun and cozy, and I’m already telling my friends to read it.

Love this humorous/fun blend of romance/mystery/supernatural! Melody is such a great lead character. A woman with a special gift, a great friend and lots of good looking men around her. Fun family elements. More please!

I'm a Josie Silver fan. I've read four of her books, and they were all solid four-star reads.

This was my fifth book for her, and it was a creative and fun concept. I just didn't love it as much as I have her previous books.

I think the characters leaned a bit too quirky for my taste.

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

I've loved every Josie Silver book -- her emotional romances keep you turning the pages and feeling for the characters. This book tough is quite different and unlike anything Ms. Silver has written. I applaud her for trying a different kind of story and writing style. However, this book did not pull me in the way the others did. It was hard for me to get into the suspended reality and overall plot line. This is a quirky book that does have fun aspects to it but I much prefer Silver's other books like One Day in December and A Winter in New York

Thank you for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Melody Bittersweet has the power to see and talk to ghosts. She lives in the village of Chapelwick, where her eccentric family has been well known for generations for having a hand in all things that go bump in the night. She is determined to step out from their shadow, so she starts her own ghostbusting agency. Instead of embracing and accepting the ghost's presence like her family, Melody wants to offer a service to rid houses of unwanted spirits. The companies first job is at a mansion that has been unsellable due to a trio of mischievous ghosts haunting the home. Their spirits have been trapped there for over 100 years, unable to move on until a murder is solved.

But ghostly chaos isn’t the only issue. Her fame hungry ex-boyfriend and now business rival, Leo is also on the case, along with his TV crew. Then there's the local reporter Fletcher, who is hellbent on discrediting Melody. Between the two overly attractive men that seem to pop up wherever she goes, quite a few interesting ghosts, and the stress of trying to run a new successful business while trying to solve a murder, Melody has her hands full.


Crazy Spooky Love is a charming and quirky blend of paranormal mischief, slight romance, small-town coziness, and a century old cold case. I really enjoyed this story, it was an easy read and had feel good moments and connections. This is the first book that I've read by Josie Silver and it was so good that I will definitely be reading more.


"I want more than anything to be courageous, to make a raging
success of the agency. I've spent my entire adult life either trying to fit into the outside world like a square peg in a round hole, or else being absorbed into the family business in a way that makes me feel smothered and childlike. I'm not a child any longer, and however hard I try, I'm never going to be a round peg. This agency is my attempt to bang a square hole in the wall to accommodate my square peg; to create somewhere I fit, somewhere I can be without apology or the need to qualify myself constantly. This is my pack, and I want to lead them to glory."

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC!

A supernatural cozy mystery rom-com? Those are some of my favorite kinds of stories rolled into one!

This book was a lot of fun. The characters were all great, I can tell they're all going to be interesting to see and learn about in future books and I can't wait to see them all develop more. The supernatural mystery was interesting to track while the romance happened in the background. I like the concept of Melody's ability and how it was used in this story, she's going to be especially interesting to follow through what I hope becomes a series.

I'm already looking forward to book 2.

Thank you Ballantine and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I've read nearly every one of Josie Silver's books and what I can always count on from her is bonded characters and a swooning romance. Her first foray into the paranormal and cozy mysteries has at least one of those things.

First off, I love the Girls' Ghostbusting Agency. Like, I love this ragtag team so much that I wanted to find that Rosa Diaz I've-only-had-(name)-for-a-day meme and insert Melody and Artie and Marina into it. Especially Artie; I was immediately endeared to the sweet and awkward boy and it never faltered. I will happily read a dozen of these books following the GGA on their cases, I adore them that much.

And if every case is going to paranormal in some capacity, I'm even more on board.

The romance, though... Look, I'm a monster romance girlie who binged Meg Cabot's Mediator series in middle school, so I was 100% on board with Douglas. And he's the only one I'm here for, because Leo's a non-starter and Fletcher? Fletcher can die in a theater collapse for all I care. I really didn't like him; that ego of his was so retch-inducing that I kept catching myself actively rolling my eyes at every piece of his dialogue. Him and Melody are lust-at-first-sight and that does not make a romance. Unless there's some massive character development later down the line, Silver will never get to me to root for him and Melody. Never.

I know the next book comes out soon and I'm most definitely looking forward to the next GGA adventure!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars

Crazy Spooky Love has a fun and unique concept—romance with a supernatural twist—and Josie Silver does a great job setting the cozy, spooky vibe. It’s a super cute fall read with some sweet and emotional moments, and the idea behind the story is definitely creative.

That said- the pacing felt a bit off, and some parts of the plot didn’t get the attention they needed. A few of the side characters felt underdeveloped, and overall, it didn’t hit quite as hard emotionally as some of my favorite Silver’s earlier books.

If you’re in the mood for a light, fall-themed love story with a ghostly spin, this one might be worth checking out.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Josie Silver and Ballantine | Dell for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be published on September 2, 2025.

I love a good Josie Silver Book and this one delivers in all the best ways!
Scooby doo meets Ghost Busters in this fun paranormal romance where Melody can speak to Ghosts and so can her entire family. They've made a business out of it, passing messages from the dead to the living
When Melody decides to branch out and start her own investigative ghost business she encounters a ghost struggling to pass on to the afterlife.
What she uncovers is a murder!

This book has a great character list from moody love interests to sweet awkward assistants, a ride or die best friend, and of course a crazy grandma!
If you love a little mystery and a little murder when you go ghost busting and falling in love, then this is the book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ballentine and Dell for the advanced E-Arc of this crazy fun spooky romance coming to shelves soon in September of 2025, just in time for some spooky Halloween fun!

CRAZY SPOOKY LOVE would be great for a summerween or fall style book. It was a fun and whimsical book

Wow! What a fun, whimsical book! Friendships, love, ghosts, and a murder mystery! What more could you ask for really. Quirky and sweet Melody Bittersweet decides that now being 27 she need to forge her own path and start up her own business with none other than her best friend Marina by her side. Her first job is competing against her ex-boyfriend. They both are tasked with removing ghosts from an abandoned house. But soon, Melody learns she has to find out who killed, Douglas, one of three brother ghosts trapped in the house! Throw in a local reporter that Melody can’t stand…well besides his good looks and all that.

Perfect setting, quirky characters, mystery, and romance!

ARC PROVIDER BY NETGALLEY

Josie Silver has done it again—this time with a wildly fun supernatural romp full of ghosts, family chaos, and a heroine determined to make her own mark. Crazy Spooky Love is the perfect start to a quirky new series that blends humor, heart, and the paranormal in just the right measure.

Melody Bittersweet comes from a long line of mediums, including a meddling matriarch and an ex she’d rather forget. Tired of living in their shadows, she decides to launch her own ghost-busting business for women—and her first case? Solving a decades-old unsolved murder with the help of the dead themselves.

If you’ve loved Josie Silver’s past novels with mystical undertones, prepare for a delightful shift: this series dives fully into the supernatural, and it’s a blast. With witty writing, lovable oddballs, and a truly original premise, Crazy Spooky Love is a great pick for fans of cozy mysteries, paranormal romance, and ghostly adventures.

I already have Book 2 queued up and can’t wait to continue the ride!

#CrazySpookyLove #NetGalley #realtorreads #booktok #bookstagram #books #booklover #book #bookrecommendations #bookish #bookstagrammer #bookworm #reading #bookreview #bookaddict #booknerd #booksbooksbooks #readersofinstagram #bookcommunity #romancebooks #bookblogger #romance #read #bookshelf #bibliophile #reader #fantasy #bookrecs #kindleunlimited #booksofinstagram #bookclub #bookphotography #booklovers

Took me a minute to get into it but the cast of characters really pull you in and their quirks make them so endearing. Perfect read for summerween or fall.

This was a fun book that follows Melody Bittersweet as she starts her own business separate from her family as a “ghost hunter”. She is able to see dead people and help them with their needs to be able to move on. The amount of times she has to explain “I see dead people” was hilarious. This was definitely a quick and fun read with the best side characters.

With that said, I didn’t like this as much as the author’s more serious/emotional novels, but it was still fun and I look forward to how she continues with this series.

3.5 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Messy love triangle? Check.
Hot skeptic with a grudge? Yep.
A haunted house full of ghost brothers who won’t shut up? Oh, absolutely.

Melody Bittersweet just wanted to start her own ghost removal business not fall into a murder mystery, a haunting from hell, and awkward run-ins with her fame-hungry ex and a reporter who hates her guts (but also might be flirting???).

This book is:
🧃 fast-talking, funny, and chaotic in the best way
📺 like a BBC comedy crashed into a supernatural murder case
🔥 full of tension, banter, and ghostly mischief
💔 about what happens when your past won’t stay dead (literally)

If you love your mysteries with a side of romantic disaster, dry humor, and just enough haunting to keep things interesting, Crazy Spooky Love is your next favorite mess.

And if you fall for Fletcher Gunn? Honestly, same.

#CrazySpookyLove #ParanormalRomance #RomComWithGhosts #LoveTriangleProblems #GrumpyxSunshineEnergy #HauntedAndHot #MelodyBittersweet #BookTokRecs #SassyReads