Thanks to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the eARC.

I haven't read Northanger Abbey in years and I was thrilled to get my hands on this genderbent retelling.

Hattie is an unlikable protagonist in the best way possible. Her grief outweighs her sense of self and the exploration of grief through the lens of a very haunted high school is a treat to read.

4.5 stars! A fantastic YA retelling of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, with gender-bent MCs, the most haunted high school in America, a lovely slow burn romance, and spooky haunted vibes. I loved how the author reframed the classic story -- as she did with Pride and Prejudice in her debut, Accomplished -- with great wit and charm.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday books for this e-arc.*

A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesdays Books for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is a remake of the Jane Austen Northhanger Abbey-which I have not read. Unfortunately, while I was interested, this book was just not for me. I made myself finish it, but I didn't really like the characters although they did grow on you. I liked the premise but that was about it. While, this was not for me-I think many will enjoy. 3 stars

In full transparency I did not finish this book. The writing was very good and the plot was intriguing but I just couldn’t get into the story. I requested and got approved months before the publish date and at the time I thought I would love it but it’s just not for me. I appreciate the arc approval and will recommend it to friends that I know would enjoy it more than I did.

I’ve read a few books that use paranormal themes to explore grief, and this definitely fits into that category. Explaining the theme of grief can be quiet heavy, but with the backdrop of a YA academic romcom it takes some of the pressure off.

Hattie is presented as a perfect student who hates her life, and is still deeply broken by her father’s death some years ago. She wants nothing more to fit in, but has built several relationships transactionally and it does nothing to bolster her mental health. Her family is a mess, her mom is practically absent and she is annoyed with her eldest sister and practically a second mother to her younger brother. There’s a lot of pressure. So when she is forced to interact with a new student— a ghost hunting guy with dreamy features— she finds a kindred spirit. Someone who actually cares about her. He brings out who she truly is, and is finally able to explore her pain, her grief, and the constraints she’s put on herself to live up to unmanageable expectations. Very well written, and I love the droll humor.

3/5 stars. Hattie is the headmistress' daughter at a private academy that is a hot spot for the paranormal. Hattie is less than thrilled when she is paired up with Kit, who is attending the academy on a paranormal scholarship.

Both Hattie and her mother are unlikeable characters. Hattie eventually becomes likeable but her mother is the overworked single mother ice queen stereotype. Truly, Liam (the brother) was the best character. Maybe this book was a miss for me because I haven't seen x-files or read Northanger Abbey?

The book does start slow, which caused me to nearly DNF it but it did pick up around 45% of the way through.

As a big fan of Pride and Prejudice, I had read and loved Quain's debut novel. I haven't read Northanger Abbey, so I was unsure what to expect from Ghosted. I absolutely loved it!

The story follows Hattie Tilney and her burgeoning relationship with Kit Morland as they attend a notoriously haunted high school. Kit is such a sweet character and unapologetically himself that I couldn't help but love him. Hattie struggles throughout the book - with coping with the loss of her father, with planning her future and applying for college, with being true to herself despite the hardships of high school, with learning to love her family and friends despite their flaws. I could greatly empathize with her, and I appreciated how her challenges and her mistakes were handled compassionately. Overall, a fun, engaging, surprisingly contemplative read.

When Hattie is called down to her mom who is also the principal of Northanger Abbey‘s office, The last thing she thinks she’ll be asked to do is to be the school ambassador for the new kid who is also a ghost hunter. Ever since Harry’s dad died of cancer she no longer believe in ghost it was the one thing she shared with him but since his death she rejects any notion that they could be true that she even misses him… Only because it’s too painful. She keeps her guard up even around her two best friends I see in Preya. So why is it when she is around Kip “the ghost Hunter “who is excited about everything having to do with North anger Abby does she want to tell him everything and what is the crazy feeling she feels when they’re together? So when she finds out her teacher Mrs. Skinner wants them to do a project that involves the history of the school kip want’s to do a ghost haunting and Hattie wants them for reasons I have stated does not. They will eventually come to a compromise he will look for ghosts and she will look for why they don’t exist but what they fine may prove one of them right but Will it proof both of them in love? If you love fun para-normal books with a little humor added in then you’ll Love Ghosted a Northanger Abbey Novel. I certainly did and highly recommend it I loved it and highly recommend it. I want to thank NetGalley and Wednesday books for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

A fantastic YA retelling of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, with gender-bent MCs, the most haunted high school in America, a lovely slow burn romance, and spooky haunted vibes. I loved how the author reframed the classic story -- as she did with Pride and Prejudice in her debut, Accomplished -- with great wit and charm. Perfect for Janeites and teen/YA readers who will cry with me, "More! More!"

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Amanda Quain has once again written a fun contemporary riff on an Austen novel with Ghosted, this time reimagining Northanger Abbey. While it’s not necessary to have read the original novel, I do think having some familiarity with the concept of the original’s faux-Gothic nature will help you understand what this book is trying to do. One aspect I was immediately intrigued by was the gender swap and role reversal, with Henry Tilney becoming Hattie and being the protagonist, and being something of a skeptic, but by no means lacking in traits that make her stand out in her own right. Her backstory with her father very much colors her current beliefs, and I love how the story explores how grief impacted her losing all interest in that one thing that bonded her to her father.
I enjoyed how the somewhat chaotic character of Catherine Morland was reimagined in Kit, and I liked the new focus on Kit bringing Hattie back out of her shell. Their evolving relationship as they bond over their shared love of ghosts is super cute.
The secondary characters are also super interesting too, and I love their spin on characters from the book. Izzy as a false friend to Hattie highlights how friendship can still be very superficial these days, especially in elite schools like the one that serve as the setting for this story. She has some depth to her, however, and a bit of redemption, and I feel like there’s some hope for her.There are some other character references, like the spiraling older sister, who mirrors the arc of the hedonistic older brother from the original.
This is another fun retelling from Amanda Quain, and I’m excited for more! If you’re an Austen fan, I recommend checking this out! But even if you’re not, I recommend giving it a try if you enjoy stories about coming of age and dealing with grief, with a side of ghost hunting.

Amanda Quain’s Ghosted, a YA retelling of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, far exceeded my expectations. Quain uses her source material creatively but isn’t beholden to it, instead finding an emotional core that (I must admit) I found missing from Austen’s novel.

Hattie Tilney attends Northanger Abbey, a ritzy private boarding school her family can afford because her mother, Dr. Tilney, is the headmaster. Despite the fact that her school is notorious for being haunted, Hattie is entirely anti-paranormal, convinced that those who hope to find a ghost are deluding themselves.

Then, along comes Kit Morland, a handsome, quirky new student who is decidedly pro-paranormal. Normally, Hattie would avoid Kit completely, but her mother has assigned Hattie to be his ambassador, so she resigns herself to a few tours, some friendly chats, and that’s it.

As the layers peel back on Hattie’s story, it becomes clear that this is really a novel about grief and healing. Immediately before her family moved to Northanger Abbey, her beloved father died of a cancer that killed him quickly. Hattie decided that her new school offered a chance at a fresh start, so she rejected the study of history, of hauntings, of ghosts that had so captivated her and her father. She makes new friends, does what she needs to do to be successful and moderately popular, and blends into the background.

Until Kit.

Kit immediately gets under Hattie’s defenses, and when they’re assigned to work together for their journalism class on a semester-long project focused on the ghosts of Northanger Abbey, Hattie realizes that everything she had suppressed is coming to the surface.

Quain crafts brilliant, complex characters. Hattie, whose first-person narration drives the novel, is vivid and empathetic and sad. It’s clear that, while she looks out for her younger brother, Liam, and tolerates her older sister, Freddie, she’s not really connected with her family, particularly her mother, who she most often calls Dr. Tilney. As Hattie works through her college applications (she’s a senior), it becomes clear that she’s also not connected to the college path she’s committed to. Even her friends see only her surface. It’s only Kit who begins to see who Hattie really is and could be.

I absolutely loved this novel, which so beautifully delves into both Hattie’s healing but also into the inevitably difficult transitions that all teenagers at this age must undertake and, of course, into the relationship that grows between Hattie and Kit. Watching her again feel her feelings is an incredible journey.

Ghosted, a Northanger Abbey gender-swapped retelling, follows Hattie Tilney, a senior in high school, as she plays the role of perfect daughter, friend, and student. When a new student on a ghost studies scholarship, Kit Morland, shows up, her plan for senior year starts to unravel.

I have never read Northanger Abbey to compare this YA novel to, but I thought it was fun! The conversations Hattie has with her friends, siblings, and love interest all felt very much like those I was having when I was in high school. They made me laugh out loud, and I liked the cast of characters a lot. I enjoyed the style in which the novel was written, although I think it was too lighthearted to pull off a dark academia vibe/aesthetic that I think it was trying to go for.

My main issues with this came down to the way the story was structured. For being a book about ghosts, it felt more like a book about Hattie's school project. If you're going into this hoping for it to be spooky, that doesn't really exist. The story meandered and acted like it stuck to a plot, but it didn't always hold my interest. While it was easy to read, it usually ended up putting me to sleep. In addition, if you're not a fan of the miscommunication/lack of communication trope, there is quite a lot of that in this story, mainly between Hattie and her mother.

I think this was a cute read that you could read any time of the year. I just wish it had a bit more structure.

I enjoyed reading Amanda Quain's sophomore novel, Ghosted, and know others who enjoy YA reads will as well!

Hattie Tilney doesn't believe in ghosts (anymore) ever since her paranormal scouting father passed away. She's more focused on taking care of the family while her Mom works as Headmistress of Northanger Abbey. But when Hattie is assigned to be a new student ambassador to ghost lover Kit Morland, she's forced to question how she's living her life. Kit brings out a new side of Hattie, one that adores exploring graveyards and standing up for herself. But will that be enough or will Hattie have to ghost who she truly is once and for all?

Amanda Quain's writing shines in, Ghosted, and I flew through this read! I enjoyed the young adult school setting and found the friend group to be a welcome addition. They were not forced but rather added in to be a highlight of the plot. I enjoyed the little ghost snippets put throughout the story and the Austen-like classic retelling. While I felt the ending may have been a bit rushed, I would recommend Ghosted to anyone who enjoys young adult tales!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Let me tell you, I am thrilled that Northanger Abbey is finally getting some YA retelling love - while I love Pride & Prejudice, it has been done to death, and Northanger Abbey has always been my favorite Austen novel, so to get not one, but TWO YA retellings in the same year from NetGalley (the other one is the graphic novel, Northranger)? I am THRILLED.

This is a looser, gender-bent retelling, focusing on the resident of Northanger Abbey, one Henrietta Tilney, and her romance with new student (and avid ghost hunter), Kit Morland. The atmospheres are appropriately Gothic, the relationships feel real and lived-in, the characters' motivations and reasonings are clear, and honestly, it was kind of funny, too. Romance, humor, and a couple ghosts are really all I ask of a book, and this one delivered.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Amanda Quain and the publisher of the book for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A retelling of Northhanger Abbey. Hattie does not believe in ghosts. Ever since her ghost loving dad passed away, Hattie just doesn't believe anymore. That all changes though when the new boy Kit comes to town. Kit is at Northhanger on a ghost hunting scholarship. They're paired together on a ghost-hunting project. Kit will prove that there are really ghosts at the school and Hattie will prove that there are no ghosts. Will Hattie be able to prove there are no ghosts or will she start to have feelings for Kit?

A fun retelling of Jane Austen! Amanda Quain does a great job!

|| Ghosted by Amanda Quain ||

RATING: 3.5/5
WHO SHOULD READ IT: Fans of Austen and Ghost Hunters

Ghosted is a cute YA mash-up of two, usually, unrelated genres - Jane Austen and ghost hunting! It had a bit of a slow build for me but eventually finds its pace. The main character, Hattie, is the quintessential middle child. There are strong Jan Brady vibes - so, obviously, that made her a bit tedious. However, soon enough the character development kicks in and it is not just wallowing in a rough situation.

And, what is that catalyst? A tall lean ghost hunting drink of water named, Kit. He is not what she expected or thought she wanted. But, soon enough become the person she can relax and be herself around. This lets her be a less anxious story-teller and a regular kid

There is some well handled “Mean Girl-esque” drama and over all it is a really cute story about finding yourself and becoming a family again after traumatic events..

YA CONTENT NOTES: Supernatural (obviously) and minor characters/ subplots involving LGBTQ+
|| RATING DETAILS ||

⭐⭐⭐💫 | Liked it & Would Recommend - There is a lot to like and it’s well written, I have small problems with it - for instance it had a bit of a slow beginning and the non-binary character just seemed to be a checkmark of things to add when you write a book in 2023, they didn’t really have a purpose to the story except to be ‘that’ character. It certainly had some predictable parts, but I would probably recommend it to certain people.

❤️❤️❤️❤️ | I love them together, they clearly love each other and are meant to be. Obviously, they are still kids - but they are well matched, it is a healthy relationship, and they are very into each other.

🔥 | Sexual attraction is written discretely - admiring how clothes fit a body, chaste kisses. You would likely be comfortable letting a teenager read the book.

Thank you and @‌stmartinspress for my gifted ebook.

I loved this fresh take on Northanger Abbey. The story was cute, quirky, and a quick read. Slow burn romances are one of my favorite tropes, and I thought this was done particularly well. I loved that this wasn't a strict re-telling but more of an inspired by book. I adore both Hattie and Kit, and I can't read what's next by this author.

This was an interesting read.
I could relate to the main character since she has to please your mother and this led to her prioritizing her schoolwork over her friends.

I love the paranormal genre in this book in which she has to show around someone who is a ghost hunter and she feels irritated since she like ghosts. Unfortunately, she has to hide that fact around him.

As time pasts, she has to juggle school along with applying to colleges and her personal life. (She is the oldest in her family and is expected to look after her two siblings.

I like the slight romance in the book. Yes, there is kissing, but I like how it is not overdone.

Yes, there is LGBTQ+ representation, but I did not like how they were mentioned several times.

Ghosted was a fun retelling of Northanger Abbey set in a private high school amidst ghost hunting, peer pressure, and young romance. Despite the simple and cute premise, Amanda Quain provided a real depth to her characters and their struggles. This made it a more interesting and enjoyable story because of it - and a more satisfying romance. My only drawback was that the depth and complexity of the characters wasn't matched in other parts of the story, so the subplots and ending felt a little rushed. This isn't unexpected in a novel of this size and style, but I noticed more given the comparative depth overwise.

Overall, it was a cute and fun read. I think it would be an especially fun read in October as the crisp air and Halloween vibes begin.

What an inventive premise! It's a modern-day retelling of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, set at a high school in the US. It's not just any high school, it's a HAUNTED high school! Not everyone believes this, however. The "cool" kids at Northanger can't stand the ghost lovers. Our heroine Hattie, despite having been an advocate for the ghost side most of her life, has joined the skeptical crowd. But Hattie's hiding a great deal of trauma under her cynicism. She and her father, who passed away three years prior from cancer, were ghost hunters together. Since his passing, she's put that part of her life away for good. Or so she thought. The headmistress of the school, who also happens to be Hattie's mother, has paired Mattie up with Kit, a new student with a passion for finding ghosts. What follows is a lesson on how to be yourself and question your beliefs, even if it hurts.

The characters in this book really are haunted, but not in the way one might think. Hattie, her mother, sister, and brother are still scrambling to pick up the pieces years after the passing of Hattie's father. Everyone is dealing with their pain in the best way they know how. Hattie doesn't realize just how fake her persona is until she meets Kit. Over the course of the fall semester of Hattie's senior year, Kit brings her out of her shell with his wit and kindness. It's like she's been asleep, and he's woken her up. Waking up might be the easiest part, however, because once she's awake, she's able to take stock of the damage all around her, and she has to decide how she's going to deal with it.

This was a very deep book. I spent most of it wishing that Hattie's family would go to counseling. The lack of communication was staggering. Thankfully, you get a sense that they're on the right track at the end of the book. I knew going in that this was going to be about a teenage girl trying to deal with family and school challenges, but I was hoping that it would be equally fun. I'd hoped for more ghost hunting and fun spookiness. It didn't deliver on that account. So while this book has lessons to teach, vivid and likable characters, and a perfect gothic setting, it didn't provide the fun for which I was looking.

Trigger warning: death of a father, cancer (before story begins)

I'd like to thank St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for the e-ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.