The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery is a haunting and atmospheric novel that blends mystery, family drama, and the supernatural. Clarence A. Haynes crafts a gripping tale centered around the Montgomery family, whose dark secrets resurface when the past refuses to stay buried. The prose is evocative, drawing readers into a world where the line between the living and the dead is eerily thin.

The characters are richly developed, particularly Gwendolyn, whose tragic history becomes the heart of the story. Fonsi also an interesting character. It deals themes of power, identity, family, and so on.
Intriguing: 2
Unsettling: 1
Scariness: 1
It's a 4 ⭐ read for me. I've listened to the audiobook which is fabulous, that makes the book more fleshed out and lively. It's 5 ⭐ for the audiobook and their production. @HachetteAudio did a great job.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC, audiobook.

I really enjoyed this book! There's a crazy twist at the end that I did not see coming in any way shape or form, which nicely sets us up for a sequel to this story. I love when characters surprise us with their actions - everything about this plot twist felt congruent with the rest of the story and what we know about our characters, but was still excitingly surprising! I'll be looking forward to hearing more about a particular set of characters and the storyline we get a glimpse of near the end. I loved the energy of the writing - it weaved in humor, joy, and levity alongside ghostly invasions, characters struggling to come into their extra powers, complicated family dynamics, and characters working to come into their own and embrace everything they are. If you enjoy stories surrounding ghosts and magical powers, combined with a sense of humor and strong cast of characters, you'll enjoy this read!

Unfortunately... nothing in this ALC / Book really stood out to me. The narrators were good, they spoke at different speeds and I found that difficult to listen to, but the story didn't capture my attention.

This was not the book for me.

Urban fantasy is so hit or miss for me. Unfortunately, this book was a little more urban, and a little less fantasy.

I was really interested in Gwendolyn’s backstory, and I thought that was well done. The narrators were great too.

The narrators were amazing! I think they are why I finished the book. The story was a bit much but hearing it kept me interested in hearing more.

This was such a fun and refreshing listen! I loved the mix of spooky mystery, family drama, and just the right dose of corny humor. Gwendolyn is a stressed publicist with way too much on her plate and now she might be haunted?? The AfroCaribbean and Queer representation was beautiful and felt natural, not forced.

Watching her team up with her estranged cousin to face some literal ghosts from the past? I was locked in. The narrators were fantastic and brought so much energy to the story.

A quick, entertaining read with heart, humor, and a few chills. Definitely recommend!

This one came highly recommended as an audio version and it did not disappoint! At times it felt trope-y but,in a good way! The way that summer blockbusters are trope-y and fun. Not all tropes are bad folks! Likable characters, high stakes, betrayal, love, family and my favorite thing villain motive rants are all here. Their voice cast was stellar none moreso than Andre Santana as Fonsi.
This was fun! If you’re looking for a summer-y.spooky ( by virtue of the supernatural elements to the story) then definitely check this out. Sequel hook at the end was cheesy but in a good way! I’m hoping for more!

I absolutely enjoyed this audiobook. It provided the reminder that you can’t always run from your past if it is left unsettled. I loved the small doses of corniness. Loved the Afro-Caribbean and Queer representation. It was a truly great novel. The narrators were FANTASTIC!

This is for the woo woo girlies

From the very first page, the story moves fast, and while I found myself wishing it were a little longer, the pacing totally works for the plot. It’s engaging, vivid, and filled with just the right mix of mystery and magic.

I enjoyed the exploration of Afro-Latino identity, especially the way the story honors Orisha traditions and Santería. Most of the book focuses on Gwen confronting her past and while I loved that introspective journey, I would’ve loved to see more about her career and romantic relationships to round out her character a bit more.

I overall enjoyed The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery. The concept is fresh and the setting is rich. But it didn’t quite pack the punch I was hoping for at the end, as it felt a little flat to me. Still, if you’re into ghosts, fantasy, and the idea of a whole city under supernatural siege, it’s worth checking out.

For months I’ve been anticipating Clarence A. Haynes’s adult debut, The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery. This is one of those books that plays like a movie, with high action and plenty of other-worldly intrigue to hold your interest from start to finish.

Set in present-day New York City, it follows Gwendolyn, an overworked but effective publicist, as a series of strange events start happening around her. Is her team getting hacked? Is it… a haunting? She’ll have to team up with her estranged cousin, Fonsi, to uncover what’s going on. Through their respective powers of communicating with ghosts, it’s up to them to save the city.

What I Liked:
- Ghosts and hauntings and brujas! I love how this book weaves in the supernatural (I enjoy anything with ghosts in it) with Latine folklore surrounding witchcraft and spiritualism. Fonsi and Gwendolyn have roots in Panama and are part of a secret guild of people with ghostly powers. Fonsi offers his services as a medium; Gwendolyn has hidden that side of herself, even going so far as to change her name. But as the story progresses, the ghostly presence only grows stronger, more magical, and more horrifying.
- Past coming back to haunt Gwendolyn (literally). Gwendolyn has a lot of secrets, and they’re catching up with her. She’ll need to return to her authentic self to put things to right.
- Their personal arcs. Amidst all this ghostly action, both Fonsi and Gwendolyn are going through their own lives. Fonsi’s getting over his cheating ex-boyfriend… by getting it on with a ghost. Gwendolyn has a new beau in her life, but is she ready to let him in and open up all the way? I appreciated the moments of connection, vulnerability, and honesty that each of the main characters must reach.
- The epilogue! That cliff-hanger has me hoping there will be a sequel to this soon!

Audiobook:
Brittany Bradford and André Santana act as Gwendolyn and Fonsi, respectively. I loved both of their narrations; they do a marvelous job of highlighting the characters’ personalities. Gwendolyn is serious and closed off, but pays attention to the nuances. Fonsi is going through a rough time, and his emotions come out fully. This is an wonderfully done audiobook!

Final Thoughts
The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery is a really quick read that feels written for the silver screen. It’s spooky, magical, and high-energy with the perfect balance of folklore and culture. I had a hard time comparing it to other books I’ve read; it’s actually more similar to movies I’ve seen. If you enjoy a cinematic and fast-paced novel full of ghosts, this is an ideal read. And hopefully there will be a sequel out soon, too.

This was a fun one! A great debut that blends genres, and focuses on the occult. Gwendolyn and Fonsi make great main characters!

It’s definitely giving modern ghostbusters vibes, with diversity in cultures and sexualities featured. We love representation! There also was an underlying theme of self-acceptance too that added a beautiful layer to the story.

I do wish we had more storytelling in the lead up to the big ghost equinox scenes. I do enjoy fast paced books, but it felt like the big battle of the book took up too much of the overall story. I loved Fonsi’s story, particularly with the ghost romance, and wish we could have gotten to know him even better.

The audiobook format was fantastic! It featured dual narration for Gwendolyn and Fonsi’s POVs and both narrators really did an excellent job and felt authentic to the characters. Definitely recommend!

This was a fast paced read. Magic + mystery. Psychics, ghostly love triangles, a curse, and a lot of secrets. I enjoyed the audio.

I got this as an audio arc on Netgalley and it will come out in a few days. This was good, and both narrators were good as well (I often struggle understanding male narrators but not this time). The story was very exciting and kept me on edge most of the time. The characters were complicated humans and it made it so much more interesting.

‘The Ghost of Gwendolyn Montgomery’ was quite an interesting read. I enjoyed the high amounts of Afro-Latino spiritual lore and magical realism. I will say listening to the story I did get lost at times and my mind drifted off and I’n sure I missed a few things. There was too much of something I just can’t put my hands on. I think the dramatic parts didn’t linger long enough and maybe it messed me up because I definitely had to go back and re-listen to parts. Regardless of that it was a pretty decent read. I enjoyed Gwendolyn’s character development once she stopped hiding who she truly was. I wish we got more about Fonzi and his ghost lover tbh. For a debut novel this wasn’t bad at all, at least I wasn’t bored.

The audiobook sound, pacing, and narrators were excellent!! You really understood the array of characters being thrown in. Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette audio for this ALC!!

I really enjoyed this book and the audio is amazing! It keeps you hooked from beginning to end. And I hope with the epilogue, we are getting a second book in this universe. Also as a member of the BIPOC community, this book connects to our heritage, our roots, and our beliefs so beautifully.

The book follows the POVs of Gwendolyn Montgomery and Fonsi Harewood. Gwendolyn is a powerful and popular agent in NYC who has ties to the ghostly plane… ties she wishes to forget but you know ghosts never stay in the closet where you wish to hide them. They begin to interfere with both her personal and professional life and she has to dive back into the culture she thought she left behind decades ago. Fonsi is a small business owner who owns his participation into the occult. When things start to show that the barrier between the mortal plane and ghostly plane are thinning, he has to figure out how to close it and to do so, he must find his long lost cousin.

With that you have buddy romance, LGBTQIA+ representation, paranormal romance, and more mixed into this story. Minor characters also stand out and have you questioning which side you’re cheering for. This was a quick read and again, I hope there is more. Clarence A. Hayes created a beautiful masterpiece with this novel and Brittany Bradford & André Santana brought these characters to life with such gusto. Definitely would recommend both the book and audio!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for allowing access to the ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #TheGhostsOfGwendolynMontgomery

This was such an amazing audiobook. The narrators did an amazing job with this story with their accents and different voices. I loved that there were multiple narrators since it was a dual point of view between Fonsi and Gwendolyn.

Don’t even get me started on the incredible queer and Afro Latine representation. I loved it as well as the characters Fonsi is so caring and forgiving, the way he takes care of his community and will do everything he can do for them and more. Gwendolyn is such a complex character beautiful and intelligent, but she went through so much at such a young age, and she finally chooses herself after a traumatizing experience just to be dragged back to this world. This book has everything in it even Fonsi and his ghost boyfriend. Really the story is about how the villains are horrible spirit draining men.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this masterpiece of an arc!

This was a short, but very mystical read. I enjoyed the magical elements with a bit of mystery involved while the character tried to figure out what was happening at Gwendolyn's events.

ARC/Overall Story: 4/5
Audiobook/Narration: 4.5/5

We have to take a moment to appreciate this beautiful cover!!! Happy to say that this book isn’t all looks though. The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery was intimate, unpredictable, entertaining, and served with the right amount of thrills. I still wouldn’t count this as horror per se, but it does possess you with its balance of danger, fun, mystery, and all things paranormal. Huge thanks to LegacyLit and the author, Clarence Haynes, for this read. As well as Netgalley and the publisher for the ALC. I really enjoyed this as an immersive read and hope others get to experience it that way too.

Now let’s talk about the story!

Gwendolyn Montgomery has worked hard to make a name for herself as a premiere publicist. She’s representing major clients, entering a new relationship, and enjoying the spoils of her labor. Things are just as they should be as Gwendolyn prepares for her next big event. Though Gwendolyn couldn’t prepare for the strange and menacing events that seem to be targeting her career, her loved ones, and the city itself. It’s only when Fonsi, a queer Latinx psychic and protector, arrives at her door that she realizes what she’s up against, and how her past has come back to haunt her.

The title of this book is so fitting considering the ghosts of Gwendolyn’s past are both figurative and literal. I appreciated the use of the paranormal as a catalyst for exploring so many themes throughout this book. We’re discussing identity, family, self acceptance, power, responsibility, truth, and loss. We’re immersed in this through both Gwendolyn and Fonsi as they navigate their secrets, loss of self, growth, and rediscovery. I enjoyed these aspects immensely and felt so many of these characters were easy to connect with and visualize. I also appreciated the contrast between Fonsi and Gwendolyn. They played off of each in a way that felt familiar and personal. Surely, a majority of readers will also relish in all the mess, secrets, and fates of these two the way I did.

Initially I was unsure how I felt about the tone in the beginning of the book, especially with the more sexy scenes. While somewhat relatable, it also pushed me out of my expectations for the story (ultimately, in a good way). I mean were they fun to read? Of course. Did my feet kick a little? Well duh! Who knew you could connect with a ghost like that! But I was still debating on these moments and their purpose moving forward in the read. One could argue that they’re meant to add points of connection, background, and depth for how the reader perceives each character and their choices as the story progresses. Or like many stories, this inclusion acts as building blocks for us to acknowledge the tonal shift as the book moves forward. Upon reflection, I valued Haynes’s approach in making them function in both ways. It was clear looking back to see necessity of witnessing the characters in both tense and light hearted moments. It established layers of understanding for their character growth and further highlighted the importance of connection and having something to fight for. Especially when it comes to Gwendolyn’s power and working along Fonsi to save their community.

The Afro-latine culture was delivered beautifully here! Especially how culture and ancestry is incorporated into the magic system. The magic has a depth rooted in identity and connection that makes it even more powerful, captivating, and risky. Whether it be the supporting characters or the rituals and traditions, so much of the story feels culturally rich and engaging. Once again, I was so happy to have the audio for that emphasis. The narrator did an amazing job of making the characters feel even more real and vivid. The setting of NY was also a perfect choice to further boost these elements and put you in every scene.

Now I won’t give any spoilers here! But I honestly ate this book up and finished in one sitting. It definitely had me locked in and excitedly looking forward to how everything would unravel and come together. Like most books, there was a level of predictability. Though, Haynes navigates this well and ensures you don’t want to get off the ride. But Brie….why 4⭐️ instead of 5⭐️? The ending. It’s good, don’t get me wrong. I just wanted more! I badly craved more resolution. I wanted a little bit more transparency from Gwendolyn as it seemed she made a lot of progress. But that’s just me🤷🏾‍♀️! I can still see a lot of readers loving this one!

To be published June 17, 2025

Gwendolyn Montgomery is a strong, capable, successful publicist with a deeply hidden past and secrets she's wanted to keep hidden- until they all come to the forefront during one of her biggest PR events.
This begins the downfall of her carefully crafted new life and when we meet Fonsi, Gwendolyn's cousin who is very fond of the spirit world and trying to keep things in balance. Between the two of them, they must reconcile Gwendolyn's lost relationship with her spirit powers and restore balance.
The queer representation is strong and fluid, the diversity amongst the characters is great and the story is fast paced and easily devoured in a day.

The narrator was phenomenal, really adapt at diverse characters and distinction. There was a spooky air throughout that I absolutely loved.

Thanks to Netgalley for the early ARC!