THE BACHMANN FAMILY SECRET is a well-written, encouraging, heartwarming novel about an eighteen-year-old whose beloved grandfather's passing throws the family into turmoil. Jaret is further distressed when Gramps' ghost appears to warn him not to return to Nebraska from Colorado for the funeral. As is revealed, Gramps' home, built by the original immigrant family members, is badly haunted, and it's all tied up with (now missing) jewels. Jaret's twin secrets are heavily stressed: the secret that he has always seen ghosts (and is not insane) and the secret that he is gay. Throughout the author manages to maintain hope and encouragement and inspiration.

The story is interesting, Jaret seemed very striking as a character, in addition to the fact that the topics it touches are classic. It is a cute romance, but so fast that there's no opportunity for development. It was insta-love without much material in that sense, and I expected something better from the villain instead of endless and repetitive dialogues, but it's an entertaining young-adult novel that serves to pass the time and smile more than once.

I really enjoyed this book! I identified a lot with Jaret, and the tropes are all tried and true, some of my favorites. Missing jewels, murder, and parents walking in on make out sessions with a new boyfriend. Gotta love them. As others have noted, the villains monologuing is a bit lengthy and does get tiring. 4/5 stars!

I had no idea what to expect from The Bachmann Family Secret because Damian Serbu is a "new to me" author. It didn't take long for this book to draw me in. It had it's slow spots and a couple of little road bumps, but it ended up being a book that I really enjoyed.

Jaret is coming to terms with the realization that he's gay. Coupled with other things that set him apart from the rest of his family, it's not an easy revelation. He doesn't think his family will disown him, but he's also not hoping for total acceptance. They've been trying to "fix" him his entire life and adding his "gayness" to the mix isn't going to make things any easier.

Since he can't exactly tell his family that his dead grandfather doesn't want him to travel back to the family home, he has no choice but to go along and hope for the best. It doesn't take long for Jaret to realize that his grandfather's warning was warranted. There is most definitely something about the house that isn't happy with Jaret and the rest of his family - and it's not subtle about getting that point across.

The only bright spots in The Bachmann Family Secret for Jaret are his sister, his dog and Steve, who he meets in town. Meeting Steve is an unexpected surprise in many ways. He doesn't doubt what Jaret sees and gives him something he hasn't had before - someone to talk to with no judgement.

With the help of Steve, his sister and some other unexpected allies, Jaret has to solve the mystery surrounding the hauntings at his grandfather's home before it destroys them all.

Even if it's a bit rushed in some parts it was quite an enjoyable read. I liked the world building and the characters.
I recommend it.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Jaret Bachmann is a closeted high school senior with an even bigger secret than his sexuality: he can see ghosts. He's been able to his whole life, but it's particularly poignant now that his dear Gramp's spirit is popping into his bedroom in Colorado to warn him against returning to the family homestead in Fremont, Nebraska. Jaret would love to be able to stop his family from returning there, but he doesn't have that power, and he's afraid if he tells his parents about his sight they'll commit him; previous experience did land him in counseling until he recanted.

In Fremont, the entire family is staying in the ancestral home, Jaret's family, and that of his dad's brother as well. THey have decided they want to sell the house instead of keeping it, because his aunt is terrified of the ghosts that live there. No one has actually seen a ghost, okay, no one by Jaret and he ain't telling. Still there's a lot of weirdness. Jaret's dad and uncle agree selling the house is a decent plan, but not before they locate the precious heirloom jewelry that Gramps had usually kept in some arcane spot under the floorboards--which is now empty. Everyone agrees that the jewels must be in the attic, because that the one place no one has looked--and the door is unable to be unlocked. It's also the spot that Gramps' ghost keeps warning Jaret away from...and he's stuggling to keep it together until the funeral.

One good thing about returning to Fremont is meeting Steve, a football player who is inexplicably drawn to Jaret on the night they meet as Jaret walks his dog (and comfort animal), Vader. Vader has been a super ally for Jaret, barking her head off whenever malevolent spirits amble past. Steve is a nice distraction, but his interest seemed way too quick, considering he's never found dudes that interesting, even ones related to the owner of the town's famous haunted house. The interest is enough to give Jaret some courage, however, and he finally confides his big gay secret to more than just Vader.

This story is centrally about Jaret coming out about this powers to talk with the dead, (and more) and his sexuality. There is a deeply held family secret at the heart and root of Jaret's abilities and if the family will only just listen and believe, he might just save the day. I thought Jaret's deductions about his powers, and how gaining access to the sacred family gems revealed even more power that Jaret was able to harness. The story behind the ghost haunting the Bachmann family is rather sad, and has led to innocents dying in the past. The ghost is sure that homosexuality is a perversion that must be eradicated from the family, but the WHY of that conviction is pretty melancholy. Jaret's a quick thinker, and great improviser, so he fakes it until he can make it--and that spunk made him more interesting.

On the whole, the language of the book was a bit lackluster, with lots of f-bombs and tired repetition of scenes giving the impression of laziness, instead of detail. How many times is the ghost going to accost Jaret? Or, send his mom to find him while he's canoodling with Steve? Spoiler: all the times. The pace could have been tighter, but Jaret did read like and immature kid, so there's bonus points for that. There were some weird plot situations that made little sense, like why Jaret's dad would ban cell phones on this trip? What parent does this? Also, I got WAY tired of the autocratic dad thing, with Jaret's dad and uncle making completely ludicrous plans and everyone going along because they were the "men". I was glad Jaret finally grew a spine, and his ingenuity in taking care of the ghost was cool. The way he and Steve fell into "deep love" in a matter of days was less cool.

In all, it was a cool ghost story, with a teen finding powers deep within himself that enable him to stop the horror his family had been suffering for a few generations. The writing wasn't as tight as I'm used to for YA, and the instalove was nearly more unbelievable than the paranormal magic thriller that served as a backdrop.

When I read the premise of this book I thought it was right up my ally and I couldn't wait to read it, but unfortunately for me I ended up not enjoying this one at all.

The romance if fleshed more could have been sweet, but since it was basically insta love it came out feeling cheesy and non believable.

Also with how it was written when the other major plot point in the story took a backseat to his sexuality, which in other circumstances would have been no problem, it actually ended up making everything feel forced instead of natural like it should have been. I guess what i'm trying is it was definitely lacking depth

In my opinion it had potential to be great, but fell flat in every way possible, and I can't help but feeling a bit disappointed by that, because the premise made me think this would be a book I would really enjoy.

Jaret Bachmann is traveling to his ancestral home to attend his grandfather's funeral with his family.
But no one believes that there is something evil lurking on the ancestral property or the fact that he can actually see ghosts!
I loved the idea on which the plot was spun on. The history of the ancestral Bachmann home along with the poltergeists gave a spooky vibe to the setting of the story.
Jaret coming to terms his sexuality, meeting Steve and having an instant connection was sweet.
I felt the plot had more potential but overall it was an enjoyable read with an absolutely gorgeous cover!
I recommend this book if you enjoy a sweet coming of age romance, insta love, a spooky ancestral home, family secrets and a discovery of hidden powers!

The Bachmann Family Secret is an interesting read. It's a ghost story and a story about coming to terms with who you are and your sexuality.

While an enjoyable read, it feels slightly rushed in parts and certain bits could have been fleshed out more than they were.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a digital ARC of The Bachmann Family Secret in exchange for an honest review.

While I appreciate this book's attempt to blend its protagonist coming to terms with his sexuality all while uncovering the secrets the ghosts in his family home hold, the pacing was just too off for me to justify giving a higher rating. This stories focal piece is definitely our MC's sexuality which is totally fine, but the book isn't long enough for any of that to not feel forced.

For example, our MC meets his love interest Steve, and within their first conversation the two are passionately making out. We find out it's both boy's first experience with another boy and that they're both pretty much closeted. Those two events do not compute.

The next time they talk they're calling each other babe and in love.

While this book definitely has potential, it lacks the depth necessary to tell the story it's trying to tell.