I'll be honest, I saw "Josie Silver" and hit REQUEST without reading beyond the title. I assumed it was a love story set in London during Halloween.

This is a ghost book.

It took me a while to get into it as the protagonist, Melody Bittersweet, not only has a silly name...she acts kind of zany. Maybe a little too zany. She sees ghosts, drives a bizarre car, and her family and friends range from "offbeat" to "wacky." There is a love triangle, if that's your thing. Except for Melody's friends, most of the characters were obnoxious. I loved her friends and two people we meet at the very end of the book. There is a hot ghost who seems okay, too.

I am so glad I stuck with it! Eventually, Josie Silver's talent for writing endearing characters shone through, the ghost stuff grew on me, and it became crystal clear that writing this book was a labor of love for the author. It really found its pace in the second half of the book and it just felt like the author was writing this for herself. It turned out very sweet. By the end, I was delighted to see this was a series. Color me converted! I'm looking forward to the next one.

There is some SPICY stuff in the second half. Proceed accordingly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

A fun romp of a book. It’s a little cheesy at times, but overall I enjoyed it. The characters are interesting, but can run to cliche. The cheesy antagonistic ex, the skeptical newspaperman, the inevitable love triangle. Cute and likeable in a hallmark Christmas movie kind of way.

Thank you Josie Silver, Dell Publishing, and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy.

This was not my favorite. Nothing really happened until about halfway through the book. With the “Love” in the title I expected of that but Melody’s “connection” with the MMC is anything but love. She literally says she wants him “from the neck down”.

It was quirky and had its comedic moments but I wanted more from both the characters and the plot.

probably my most heartbreaking DNF of the year 💔

I adored the cover and really wanted to like this since I just DNFd another Josie Silver arc but I’m realizing her work might simply not be for me despite how much I seem to love the premises at first

so begrudgingly, reasons this didnt really work for me:

- melody kinda sucked (i weirdly really liked her in the first chapter and enjoyed her family dynamic but almost immediately she got …weirdly mean in her inner monologue esp towards ghosts in a way that barely felt valid like i get that its probably annoying to see ghosts you dont wanna see but she had a much more school bully vibe that made me ??? i guess it explained why she wanted to run a ghost busting agency but jt lowkey just made me not really like her)

- leo dark seemed fine but from the way melody was describing their relationship + their dynamic gave not much with a guise of forced “chemistry” …i was disappointed cuz I really wanted this to be a “holy shit two cakes!” situation

- skipped ahead to read about fletcher and he also seems whack so see above

- i did like marina! maybe her book might be more my vibe?

thank you very much nonetheless to netgalley and dell for this arc to review!

Crazy Spooky Love is the first book I’ve read by Josie Silver and it was a good entry point into her writing.

Crazy Spooky Love was a cute and fun read and I really love how this incorporated a ghost mystery of 3 brothers who couldn’t move on due to a family murder that had remained unsolved until Melody Bittersweet starting investigating.

Crazy Spooky Love isn’t much of a love story and I didn’t really see much of that love triangle between Melody, Fletcher and Leo. I think with more character growth and relationship development between Melody, Fletcher Gunn and Leo Dark, Crazy Spooky Love has the potential to become a mystery/romance hook.

I’m interested to see where this series goes with the next book Kooky Spooky Love

Rating: 3.5 stars
Publisher: Ballentine Books
Where to find Reviews: Instagram, Amazon and Goodreads

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballentine Books for the arc of Crazy Spooky Love in return for a honest review

Cute and fun read about Inherited ghost viewing abilities. When you want to change the family business from just talking to helping them cross over, it leads to all kinds of mayhem. Laugh out loud parts and funny stories abound.

This is super cute. I have no idea if this is a new series or if this is a cozy fantasy/mystery that the author wrote before she switched to the contemporary romance genre. It feels like an early book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. A young woman starts a ghostbusting agency (she can see and interact with ghosts obvi) and their first case involves a haunted house where there are the ghosts of 3 brothers. One brother was murdered, another was accused and the 3rd seems to be along for the vibes. In order to sort out the house, the MC and her pals need to solve the murder. They have some pretty quirky side plots that definitely keep the pages turning. I read it in a couple of hours and was thoroughly entertained.

What an exceptionally fun read! While the FMC sees ghosts and there’s a darkness / mystery to it, there’s lots of humor and banter that makes this feel very lighthearted. Every character added a new source of entertainment and breathed more life into the story.

Melody and Fletcher have such a unique, quirky romance that you can’t help but root for them even though you know you probably shouldn’t 🤣 I would love to see more of their dynamic in the future, and can’t wait to see where the series takes us.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC! ♥️

In this story we follow Melody, a woman who carries a family trait of being able to communicate with ghosts. At the start of the story Melody decides to open a business to help ghosts get closure, so they can move on from the physical location that they are stuck.

Specifically in this book, Melody is trying to solve a murder that happened many years ago, unraveling a long family drama between a pair of ghost brothers. Throw in a Melody’s ex/business-rival and a grumpy reporter, and the story keeps you on your toes. Personally, I really enjoyed Melody’s two friends and coworkers, Artie and Marina, I feel like they really rounded out the world.

I’m not usually a fan of paranormal books but I do enjoy magical realism and that’s where I think this book falls. If you enjoy Ashley Poston or Sarah Hogle, I think this is a story you will enjoy!! However, if you go into this book expecting a full fledge romance you’ll be disappointed, because it is pretty light on relationships & spice. If you enjoy Josie Silver’s banter & are looking for lovable characters and a fascinating storyline, this is for you.

I’m looking forward to the next installment in this series!! 4 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for honest feedback.

3.5 stars
I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into this one, but I’ve enjoyed Ms. Silver’s other writing, so I figured I’d give it a shot. This book had a different vibe than what I’m used to from her, but still had her signature charm.

Melody has just turned 27 and is feeling the pressure to make something big happen—every member of her family had a major life event at that age. So, she decides to start a ghostbusting business. (Why not, right?) She’s kind of making it up as she goes, but she’s not alone—she’s got her loyal best friend, a sweet and awkward guy who’s been picked on most of his life, a beat-up old van, and a rescue dog by her side.

Her first case? A wild one involving three ghost brothers who need help solving a mystery before they can move on. It’s not exactly a love story (yet), but you can tell there’s room for character growth and relationship development in future books.

Overall, a fun, offbeat start with heart, humor, and a little supernatural flair. I’m curious to see where things go next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the free advanced copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

✨I'd like to extend a big thank you to Josie Silver, Ballantine (Dell) and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Crazy Spooky Love. I will share my review to Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble upon release.

👻 ADORABLE, COZY, AND SPOOKY PERFECTION! This banter-filled rom-com stole my heart with its quirky small-town charm and paranormal hijinks. Set in the picturesque Chapelwick, the story follows Melody Bittersweet, a medium breaking free from her family’s ghost-whispering business, who teams up with her friend Marina to launch the Girls’ Ghostbusting Agency. But her first case—a haunted mansion with three mischievous ghost brothers—gets complicated fast, thanks to her fame-chasing ex, Leo, and the hot (but skeptic) reporter on the case, Fletcher Gunn. The charming small town provides such a perfect backdrop. Artie, hired at the request of his father (a ghost), discovers some 0f his own confidence and identity through their mission. I loved the trio's found family aspect - one of my favorite tropes in fiction. The mystery of the Scarborough brothers' murder adds some intrigue and mystery.

💖The cozy aspects were great, and the magic elements and paranormal characters were such a fun twist. I'm such a huge fan of Bewitched from childhood - and this one fulfilled some of my yearning for the same vibes. Marina was so adorable, love a ride-or-die friend, and her treats always brought such yummy descriptions! Melody's inner monologue was self-deprecating, witty, and utterly relatable, and reminded me of reading The Confessions of Georgia Nicolson. The romance was cute, but don't expect heavy spice - this one is heavier on the com than rom. Although the scenes between Fletcher and Melody were lovely - and I can't wait to read more from the second book. I already have this one on my list to order and I can't wait to read the physical copy again!

✨This is a fun, banter-filled, feel-good escape that's perfect for fall and is you love paranormal chaos, this one's for you!

Age Level - Adult, but could definitely be enjoyed by some YA readers

You'll love if you liked:

Bewitched - magical mischief!
Ghosts (BBC TV)
Gilmore Girls (Small Town & Banter)
Bridget Jones' Diary (endearingly chaotic heroine)

Major Tropes & Themes:

🍂 cozy fall reading
🎃 spooky/haunted vibes
⚡ grumpy/sunshine
💘 slow burn romance
👻 paranormal
💋 love triangle
🕵️‍♀️ murder mystery
👯‍♀️ found family/friendship
🍰 food mentions!

I just finished the best new romcom. Josie Siver is an auto buy author for me. Crazy Spooky Love nailed it!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

I’ve read several of Josie Silver’s books, and Crazy Spooky Love has officially weaseled its way into my heart, right up there with One Day in December. Was it profound or life changing? No. But was it fun, clever, and the perfect easy escape? Absolutely.

I thoroughly enjoyed Melody’s quirky, lovable family and her even quirkier ghostly companions. The setup, a blend of murder mystery and a new business venture, felt fresh and genuinely funny. The paranormal twist added just the right amount of charm without tipping into cliché, and the humor kept me cracking up throughout.

The only part that didn’t quite land for me was the romantic subplot with Leo. The almost-love triangle felt unnecessary, especially since it was obvious from the beginning who Melody was meant to be with. It didn’t detract too much, though. I still blazed through the pages and loved nearly every minute.

If you’re looking for something light, a little spooky, and a lot of fun, Crazy Spooky Love is a great pick. I’m already looking forward to whatever Josie Silver writes next!

This is a cute and quirky paranormal adventure with a zany cast of characters and a funky van to travel in. One part (not scary) ghost story, one part murder mystery, mix in some romance and a little buddy comedy and you have this book. It’s the perfect read to snuggle up with during spooky season.

I honestly feel like the romance takes a backseat to the rest of the story, so if you’re looking for more of that, this might not be the book for you, but all in all, I was entertained and I really liked Melody and her ghost busting pals. 3.5 stars rounded up.

4.25
What a fun book! I love the tv show “Ghosts”, and this book has similar vibes. I enjoyed the quirky characters, their banter, and the developing friendships. I was glad to see that it is a series, and I can’t wait to read the next one!

The writing style is different from other books by the author. So different as to be incomparable. She tried something new and it worked. Instead of tugging on your emotions, it’ll have you laughing out loud.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

I have read all of her books and this one was so different and I loved it. A paranormal romance and it did not disappoint. Melody can see and talk to dead people. She starts her own ghost busting business with her best friend. She hires Artie who is awkward, lovable and you wanted to root for him. The witty banter, the hilarity of the situations they kept finding themselves in was perfection. Plus the heat between Melody and the reporter was so good! I cannot wait for the next book

Do not go in expecting a full romance book or you will be disappointed, that said, this one still worked for me and I'm happy to see authors try new genres. This one worked for me and I really enjoyed our main character who was kind of a hot-mess in the best way possible!

I have loved Josie Silver's books since "One Day in December", and "Crazy Spooky Love" is no exception. It's funny, charming, quirky, and a little bit spooky - a perfect mixture for Halloween season. There is always a sprinkle of romance which is always a plus.
Cannot wait for the next installment in the series!

This was so super cute and I loved every second of it! I am so excited for the second book! I loved it

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed the plot of this book. Engaging but I didn’t feel it felt like the romance genre. Could have used more elements to make me feel that way. Overall the characters were interesting the dialogue was decent between the main characters.