Haunted Ever After

Jen DeLuca — 2024

It's love at first haunting in a seaside town that raises everyone’s spirits in this new series from USA Today bestselling author Jen DeLuca. Small Florida coastal towns often find themselves scrambling for the tourism dollars that the Orlando theme parks leave behind. And within the town limits of Boneyard Key, the residents decided long ago to lean into its ghostliness. Nick Royer, owner of the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, embraces the ghost tourism that keeps the local economy afloat, as well as his spectral roommate. At least he doesn’t have to run air-conditioning. Cassie Rutherford possibly overreacted to all her friends getting married and having kids by leaving Orlando and buying a flipped historic cottage in Boneyard Key. Though there’s something unusual with her new home (her laptop won’t charge in any outlets, and the poetry magnets on her fridge definitely didn’t read “WRONG” and “MY HOUSE” when she put them up), she’s charmed by the colorful history surrounding her. And she's catching a certain vibe from the grumpy coffee shop owner whenever he slips her a free slice of banana bread along with her coffee order. As Nick takes her on a ghost tour, sharing town gossip that tourists don't get to hear, and they spend nights side-by-side looking into the former owners of her haunted cottage, their connection solidifies into something very real and enticing. But Cassie's worried she’s in too deep with this whole (haunted) home ownership thing…and Nick's afraid to get too close in case Cassie gets scared away for good.

Reviews

big ab@snapitsabbey

Nov 22, 2024

hm.. i feel positive about this? it was not a romance. it was definitely “chick lit”. a haunted small town and a woman communicates with the ghost in her house to find the truth. it was cute, but at the same time, the romance was incredibly instant (they barely interacted, let’s be honest, two dates maximum) and took a hard backseat. which is fine, but the cover is truly deceiving. also the number of times they said “fuck the patriarchy” .. like ok i get it, millennial weirdos. BUT i did enjoy the infertility representation a lot, i wish it was a bit more fleshed out but i’ll take it.

debbie <3@debbiereadslittle

Oct 20, 2024

very basic good reads, no last minute break up, thank God, but fun small florida town spooky vibes

Kass@kass_sheehan24

Sep 25, 2024

I actually loved this!! I thought it was extremely cozy and a perfect fall read. Cute and the least spooky ghost book I’ve ever read. Cassie and nick are adorable and DAMN did it get spicy at the end. Points off because I did find the middle to be slow, I really think it could’ve been shorter for how simple it is, and the climax to be cringe?

This review contains a spoiler

Lynn Braden@ftbooklover

Aug 24, 2024

Cassie Rutherford begins to doubt her decision to move from Orlando to Boneyard Key when her laptop refuses to charge and her poetry magnets begin moving around on her refrigerator, leaving messages. Needing her laptop for work, Cassie begins frequenting the local coffee shop owned by Nick Royer, where she learns that Boneyard Key is indeed haunted and not just by tourists coming to experience the local ghost legends. As Nick helps Cassie investigate the history of her house, they begin to develop feelings for one another.

Haunted Ever After is a cute, light romance about a town filled with ghosts. Nick and Cassie are likable characters, but are a little bit underdeveloped. Also the story centers more around the mystery of Cassie's house than it does about her relationship with Nick, which is severely underdeveloped. However, the ghosts are mostly sweet and fun with an investigation into the past that is entertaining. Overall, Haunted Ever After is an enjoyable book and worth the read.

+10

Cici Pearson@cocoisabird

Sep 27, 2024

Sarah Sammis@pussreboots

Aug 17, 2024