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Haunted Ever After, by Jen DeLuca

Haunted Ever After, by Jen DeLuca
Berkley, 0593641213, 352 pages, August 2024

Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca is a charming and whimsical novel that beautifully blends romance and the supernatural. Set against the backdrop of a quaint small town–Boneyard Keys, FL–the story follows copywriter turned recent homeowner Cassie, who finds herself entangled in a series of mysterious and spooky events that challenge her perceptions of love and reality in her new town. She definitely got more than she bargained for when she realizes the house she just bought comes with its own ghost!

When Cassie’s power outlets unexplainably won’t charge her laptop, she heads out to find a place to work. Finding refuge in one of the town’s local cafes, Hallowed Grounds, she quickly finds herself growing affectionate for both the owner, Nick, and the perfect iced hazelnut latte he makes. As an ancestor of  the founding families of Boneyard Keys, Nick has grown up among the ghosts of the town. In fact, he’s the only one in his immediate family who inherited the ability to commune with the ghosts, something he takes very seriously and reveres.

It’s a bumpy ride as skeptical Cassie begins to accept there are actually ghosts in Boneyard Keys, even with Nick’s gentle encouragement to get to know the local ghosts. While the ghost Nick lives with, Elmer, is quite encouraging of him pursuing Cassie, Cassie’s resident ghost, Sarah, seems to have something against Nick. Repeatedly when Nick comes over, Sarah uses her method of communication, poetry magnet tiles on Cassie’s refrigerator, to say “get him out”.

While the ghosts give them the runaround, Cassie and Nick must decide what their futures will look like: Can Cassie learn to embrace the unique lifestyle in Boneyard Keys or will the ghosts be too much for her? Is Nick ready to let the past go and give love a chance, even if it means potentially being hurt again? Lucky for these two, there’s plenty of support characters, but human and ghost, to give advice, lend a hand, and help Cassie and Nick discover what they need to in order to determine if things will work out.

DeLuca’s writing shines with its warm, engaging style, and she skillfully crafts characters that are both relatable and endearing. Cassie’s experience in Boneyard Keys is both emotional and entertaining, as she navigates her way through unexpected hauntings and budding romance. While Nick’s path to opening his heart is simply swoon-worthy. 

I really enjoyed DeLuca’s knack for capturing the essence of small-town life. It adds a vibrant and authentic flavor to the narrative, making the setting feel like a character in its own right with its own charm. Plus, readers get a real feel for the other residents of Boneyard Keys, making them want to learn more about their backstory and see what’s to come. I already can foresee another TWO budding romance between side characters in this book. And since this is the first Boneyard Keys book, we know there’s more to come! As someone who enjoys emotionally investing in book series, I am already quite excited to return back to Boneyard Keys for another story down the line!

One of the standout elements of the book that made it a great romantic read for me is the balance of humor and heart. DeLuca manages to infuse the story with witty dialogue and laugh-out-loud moments, which are perfectly contrasted with deeper themes of self-discovery and acceptance. The supernatural elements are woven seamlessly into the plot, providing just the right amount of intrigue without overshadowing the central love story. Plus, there’s a lot of fun ghost puns!

Overall, Haunted Ever After is a delightful read that will appeal to fans of romantic comedies with a supernatural twist. DeLuca has crafted a tale that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, leaving readers with a sense of warmth and satisfaction. Whether you’re a fan of romance, a lover of ghostly tales, or just in need of a feel-good story, this novel is sure to enchant and delight.

Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places, by Claire Kann

Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places, by Claire Kann
Berkley, 0593336658, 416 pages, May 2024

Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire Kann is a refreshing take on the romantic comedy genre, infused with a touch of the supernatural. The novel follows the protagonist, 

Lucky, who is “gifted” (even though it sometimes feels like a curse) with the ability to read people to their core when she looks in their eyes for the first time. Decades of feeling ostracized due to her ESP abilities have left Lucky quite rusty when it comes to relationships, preferring her paranormal research over the company of others.

Lucky finally has her big career break after a trail of graduate school rejections and lack of investor funds for her research. A film company hires her to be the caretaker for a house that’s deemed haunted after the previous three tenants left abruptly after being tormented in the house. Lucky is determined to make it through the whole month in the house, unraveling it’s paranormal secrets along the way to bolster her career as in the field, but her usual go-it-alone attitude begins to change though when she meets Maverick, a podcaster and show host, whose work has always been a source of inspiration and comfort to her.

Lucky finds herself simultaneously bonding with the house, which develops an affinity for her, and her co-workers on the show, especially Maverick and his daughter Rebel. Meanwhile, she’s also trying to get a read on the owner of the home, Xander, to see just what’s going on here. Managing love and work can be hard as Lucky finds out, and it’s up to her to confront her past to choose the future she truly desires.

Claire Kann’s writing is both witty and heartfelt, offering a delightful blend of humor and emotion. She skillfully weaves together themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery, all set against the backdrop of spooky yet charming haunted locations. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with Lucky’s journey of finding herself, building her career, and trying to open up to love in the process feelings genuine and engaging.

The supernatural elements add a unique layer to the story, providing both comedic relief and poignant moments. It’s a testament to Kann’s ability to blend genres seamlessly, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. As someone who loves things all paranormal, Lucky’s career ambitions and relationship with the supernatural felt authentic. There is content about the different types of paranormal phenomena and Lucky’s personal areas of focus (human-created supernatural phenomena).

Plus, the sentience of the house is really neat to experience first hand. I’ve read plenty of books where the house comes alive (The September House, Starling House) but this house’s abilities were really cool. I was fully absorbed in Lucky’s experiential process of undercovering what the house’s intentions were through the ways she managed to communicate.

Another aspect of the book that was interesting compared to other romance novels was that Lucky is asexual. While most romance books have the characters coming together in the throes of passion, in this book there was a good amount of discussion about boundaries and consent. This isn’t to say sparks weren’t flying, but I enjoyed the slower pace of there being actual open and honest dialogue around sexual expectations and preferences. I feel like it was more relatable and models what true intimacy looks like in a relationship.

For those who have ever felt the sense of being on the outside that comes with being psychic or having abilities others don’t understand, I think you’ll find Lucky quite relatable. While it’s in the genre of romance, I was moved to near tears multiple times as the book truly captures the emotional experience of what it means to have extrasensory perception that others don’t understand. From being isolated to mocked and ridiculed, it can be tough! Many of us readers have surely felt this at one point or another, so seeing Lucky find true love was especially rewarding.

Overall, Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places is a fun romance read for those who love all things supernatural. Its clever plot, endearing characters, and perfect balance of humor and heart make it a great book to curl up with this fall. I highly recommend it as a sweet, spooky read that will keep you intrigued with paranormal activity and a slow but steady relationship build-up.

Payback’s a Witch, by Lana Harper

Payback’s a Witch (The Witches of Thistle Grove), by Lana Harper
Berkley, 0593336062, 352 pages, October 2021

New year, same me reading witch lit 🙂 And my latest book, which I discovered when cleaning out my garage – a perk of the effort, is Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper. As someone who’s read a lot of books, particularly in this genre, I can say with confidence Harper is one of the best writers I’ve ever come across. Payback’s a Witch takes the quality of this genre to a whole ‘nother level!

The premise of the story is that Emmaline Harlow (otherwise known as Emmy or Harlow) has come back to her hometown of Thistle Grove. As a scion of the one of the four magical founders of the town, obligation compels her to return to town in order to fulfill her role as arbitrator in the Gauntlet tournament, which is held every 50 years between the founder’s families to determine who will safeguard the magical wreath and benefit from its power.

But Emmy isn’t super pumped to be back home. Her first night back, she runs into her ex-beau, Gareth Blackmoore, who descends from the family of the most powerful witches in town. He’s a textbook narcissist who never really seems to get what he deserves. The same night though, Emmy also has a reconnect with Talia Avramov, another scion of the founding family most practiced in the dark arts. After quite a few drinks Emmy feels a bit better about running into Gareth and definitely notices a few sensual feelings budding towards Talia.

At breakfast the next morning with her longtime BFF, Linden Thorn, the fourth founder family’s descendent, Emmy is surprised to have Talia join them. Turns out, Emmy isn’t the only one who received the short-end of the stick of Gareth’s arrogance and schemes. He also two-timed Linden with Talia – or vice versa – point is, he was seeing them at the same time when both thought they were exclusive. Now, Liden and Talia want revenge, specifically at the Gauntlet tournament, and they are looking for Harlow to help out.

Harlow is well-aware of her duties to arbitrate without bias, and at first she’s a bit reluctant. She fled the town wanting to forget Gareth, and suddenly the whole time home seemed to be becoming all about him. However, when Talia and Linden point out this goes beyond petty revenge; the balance between the families has become skewed by the Blackmoores repeatedly winning, gaining magical advantage, winning again, and so on in a repetitive cycle.

This has led to them building a giant castle structure of Camelot akin to a Ren Faire that has drawn all the tourists away from more local shops, such as the Thorn’s farm and Aramov’s emporium. If balance is not restored, the unequal distribution of power could see foreclosure in the future for the Aramovs and Thorns. Understanding the greater balance of power among the founding families at risk, Emmy decides she’ll assist, and obviously, foresees some personal enjoyment in bringing down Gareth as well.

What takes Emmy by surprise is how happy she feels to be home. As her magic returns after her long departure from Thistle Grove, she starts to recall all the small joys of the town. Adding to her inner confusion is the romantic sparks between her and Talia. Talia can’t imagine a life away from their hometown, while Emmy is very proud of the life she’s built for herself.

As the Gauntlet plays out, in very twisted and unexpected ways, Emmy discovers there is more to her family’s lineage than she previously realized. Ultimately, she must reckon with the consequences of leaving her family and close friends behind, forgoing her claim to magic, and newly discovered feelings towards Talia to decide what her next step will be.

Luckily, the story doesn’t end here – there is a sequel coming in March! I am very pleased about this because I absolutely adored all the characters. I think there’s so much room for the story to grow. Plus, Harper really knows her stuff when it comes to magic. There’s plenty of diversity among the different types of magic practiced, and reading how they blend together or repel one another is an intriguing part of the story.

This was a fun read with surprising depth. There is the perfect amount of banter, tension, and love between the characters, with plenty of emotion balanced by humor and quirk. I loved reading it as a leisure book to relieve the stress of the day and tap into some magic.

The pace of the book is perfect with one chapter effortlessly flowing into the next, often on a cliff-hanger that compels you to keep reading. There’s also a great blend of fantasy with modernity, which gives the story very relevant magical realism. I love when this happens because I enjoy believing somewhere in Illinois a town like this might just really exist.

My favorite character was Talia since she practices the dark arts, particularly necromancy. Throughout the book, she chats with ghosts and summons her ancestor for guidance. The magical families that lean more towards “life-magic”, specifically the Thorns, are put off by the spookiness of the Avramov family, as Emmy is eager to see their magic, which is usually kept hidden.

Plus, Talia has a deeply caring and compassionate side, wanting to cook for and tend to the needs of those she loves. The relationship between Talia and Emmy is just beautiful to watch unfold. I absolutely love having some lesbian protagonists in a witch lit book! What’s better than two witches falling madly in love? THE ULTIMATE ENDING of the Gauntlet challenge, which is all I will say for now! 🙂

All in all, Payback’s a Witch is a 10/10 from me. Harper is one of the best writers I’ve read in a long time. The story has the perfect flow; the characters are very relatable; and the plot is enticing. I am very excited for the book in The Witches of Thistle Grove series!

Cackle, by Rachel Harrison

Cackle, by Rachel Harrison
Berkley Publishing Group, 0593202023, 304 pages, October 2021

I was in a mood yesterday, but a quick trip to the library always changes that. Cackle by Rachel Patterson had arrived for me. As soon as I got home, I dove in. Once I started, I couldn’t put the book down, and I finished by the early evening. This book was just the reminder I needed of how empowering it can be to fully utilize my own magic and not shy away from power.

The basic premise of the book is the main character, Annie, is going through a break-up with her beau of a decade. It’s rough and she’s truly on the struggling bus trying to cope, drinking too much and feeling very despairing about her singledom. Since she can no longer afford New York City rent, she takes a job in upstate and moves to a small town named Rowan. Immediately, she loves the charm and small-town feel of Rowan.

Her impromptu meeting of Sophie, the most well-known woman in town, helps her to establish herself in Rowan. But there’s something odd about the way the townsfolk treat Sophie. Annie chalks it up to a mixture of reverence and fear, but Sophie is so doting towards her, she enjoys the company regardless. Annie is one of those people that seeks validation from others and prefers company over being alone.

When she’s not putting herself down, she’s usually crying over her ex-boyfriend Sam. Honestly, at times her depressed, self-depreciation did seem a little old at times, but I think it had its place within the overall context of the novel. And Annie is at least funny, so at times her distorted self-image is a nice comic relief. If we’re honest, many of us have gone through what Annie is experiencing, feeling lost, confused, and unsure of ourselves and the path forward.

Despite all of the emotional turmoil in her life, Annie quickly becomes best friends with the mysterious Sophie, who happens to live in a giant, haunted house in the middle of the woods. Sophie loves sweets, often baking for Annie, and Britney Spears. She’s caring, wise, and just a little intimidating with her subtle jokes of eating hearts and all-black wardrobe. But Sophie looks out for Annie, taking her under her wing, and even curses those who are unkind to her.

Sophie also has the ability to control spiders, so this book will definitely make you see arachnids in a new light. Just an FYI, in case you’re not a spider person! I for one loved all of it and just can’t stop imagining having a cute spider pet now.

As Annie’s relationship develops, she discovers new parts of herself. While she still pines over her ex, just like many modern women who had dreams of a marriage and family, she also starts to realize she has her own power. Power to indeed cause harm to those who bother her, as well as making objects float to her. As if this all isn’t enough to contend with, Annie realizes there are those in town who do not trust Sophie. She must decide for herself if her new bestie is honest and trustworthy, as some townsfolk say otherwise.

Like I said, I read this book quickly, and that’s mostly because it’s one of those chick-lit fiction books, which I have to say I love. Annie has a typical “basic” girl attitude and through surrender is able to discover a whole new power within her. The term “witchcraft” is barely used, as Sophie doesn’t like the stigma associated with it.

In reality, she’s nothing more than a woman who truly owns her desires, doesn’t settle, and is content to be fully in her own power. She’s unafraid to stand up for herself to those who seek to hurt her and finds no reason to shrink herself to please others or make them more comfortable. As Annie learns to do the same, she realizes there might be no turning back.

The revolution of women deciding they want to claim their happiness and be powerful, whether it intimidates others or not is the most potent magic. And Harrison has captured this journey perfectly in Cackle.

Another aspect of the book I really liked is that Sophie and Annie enjoy playing dress-up, dancing, baking or getting drunk together, and simply spending quality time with each other. Cackle celebrates modern-day female friendship, not through bonds of solidarity, but through simple care, nurturance, and honesty.

Sophie is a friend who knows when Annie needs psychedelic mushrooms, whiskey, or simply hot tea. She also doesn’t mince her words and is quite openly against Annie’s pining over Sam, making her new clothes and even cutting her hair. Cackle portrays all the small ways female friends support each other that make all the difference. While it might be hard to see how one is changing post-break-up, with the support of Sophie, Annie emerges a new person. At its heart, this story has a strong theme of friendship, women’s empowerment, and a sprinkle of magic!

The final thing I’ll note that I enjoyed is how magic was not portrayed as malevolent or benevolent. Sophie openly feels comfortable using her power to curse, choke, and probably even kill those who seek to do her wrong. Soon, Annie is learning how to do the same thing. I liked that Cackle wasn’t afraid to show women standing up for themselves and that the full range of supernatural powers was acknowledged without judgement. Sure, at first Annie was a bit taken aback by what she could do, but in time, she learned to wield it wisely.

I think it’s important to know how to both manifest your desires and use your energy to keep that which seeks to harm you at bay. Inevitably, there will always be something a little bit scary about a woman who is fully in control of herself and willing to own this power. It’s the classic witch motif that has caused men to shiver for centuries, but is that a reason to stay small?

Us modern-women of the 21st century think not! And for those of us who need a little self-esteem boost, or a reminder that we can choose who we give our energy to and rewrite our story at any time, Cackle is the book for us! Harrison has done a marvelous job of mixing modernity and magic to inspire us to believe the two can co-exist, even if only in fictional tales that inspire us not to seek our happily ever after, but the true witch within.