3/5 stars - This book def had a different concept then I’ve read before, but I’m always down for
a paranormal romance, this book fit that in a quirky way. The forced proximity trope is always a winner in my books and who doesn’t love a grumpy teddy bear farmer who’s not to shabby on the eyes. A lighthearted & easy read to pick up def recommend!

The humor of this book was top notch. I enjoyed the witty banter between Gretchen and Charlie and Gretchen and Everett. The paranormal antics of Everett are entertaining, and the personal and romantic journeys of both Gretchen and Charlie are so poignant and heartwarming. Fantastic read

3.5 stars rounded up.

Gretchen is a fake medium, conning grieving people out of their money while pretending to talk to spirits. Until she’s hired to help save a haunted farm, and she can actually see and talk to a real ghost.

The ghost was the funniest character in the book, and Gretchen was great. Growing up as a pawn in her dad’s cons she just wanted to be useful to someone in a real way. Charlie was too distant for too long, but overall a fun read with some great moments.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was slightly predictable, a little outside my norm (con-artist in the spirit medium 'work' who then actually can do what she claims she can do).

Not going to lie, the whole con artist bit turned me off, but I get the gist, fake it 'til you make it. Gretchen really had to do what she needed to do to get by, just wish she could have realized she had so many other options (especially with how her character was built up through the book).

Charlie, well, Mr. Grumpy himself can actually be quite nice and was a pretty decent guy.

The ghost (Everett) - was a love hate situation he was a bit annoying, but then he would just not be talked about for a whole chapter, it was odd...

Overall it was an alright read, easy, light, and something you can easily read in a day or two.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for my DRC.

This was a fun and delightfully refreshing original story that had characters that made me laugh and care for them. Nothing like a fake ghost con that gets derailed by a real those to set the stage for a great romantic comedy. The banter in this is off the charts as is the s3xual tension that it hides. This is truly a fun escapist read for those days you just need to get away from it all but can't!
One Sentence review: if you are looking for a unique laugh out loud rom com that will steal you heart with all the quirkiness, banter, and charm that only a haunted goat farm can set the stage for as enemies become lovers with help of a mischievous spirit and a delightful baby goat that you have found your next read right here.

Funny, clever, and refreshing! Sarah Adler is a must read for any romance reader’s shelves. I loved the con artist set up and the hijinks that ensued at the farm, with the zany paranormal spin.

It's been awhile since I read this book; I slacked in writing reviews. What I remember is that the book is very predictable, but it is okay for a quick read especially if you are a fan of slow-burns, enemies-to-lovers, no real surprises books.

Happy Medium was a funny story about faking it til you make it! The story begins with money and ends with love. The middle is riddled what happens when your fake like and real life become intertwined. How do you help and support others yet keeping yourself ahead of the con?

Reminds the reader to never question the spiritual realm!

Recommended as an easy read.... just don't tell your spiritualist

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I must say, HAPPY MEDIUM by Sarah Adler is the perfect "spooky-cute" story for fall, particularly if, like me, you tend to stay away from scary horror stories this time of year, but you're still looking for something with those autumnal vibes. I love this author's writing!

3.5⭐, rounded to 4. I read this in the Spring and never posted it. Oops. A paranormal romcom that takes place on a farm. It was an easy and fun listen! Favorite character: Everett the ghost!

I absolutely loved everything about this book. I purposely saved it for fall reading (sorry) and partly because I love her books and didn't want to have to wait a whole year for another. I think I read it at the perfect time, though, because I just devoured it and absolutely ADORED it.

Gretchen really grew as a character throughout the book and I loved that for her. I think learning how to trust another person and let them in is so huge and so hard, but Charlie (even though he supposedly hated her) was such a great guy and their chemistry was perfect. By the time they finally got together I was like YESSSSSSSSSS!

Everett was absolutely HILARIOUS and he was my favorite part of the book. His and Gretchen's friendship was so sweet and I was really sad when his haunting was over.

I will for sure reread this and I think I actually want to get the audio because I heard it is very good!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing company for this Digital Advanced Readers Copy! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I am a sucker for a grumpy/ sunshine trope, any day of the week. So, this hit the spot for me. I find more and more that I am one to really be drawn in by tropes, so when I see one I like, I tackle it. Sharp comebacks and witty banter, I am all in. The character development in the story was well paced and helped you fall in love with them, even when I felt like the romance was being a bit forced, I still was having a great time. I enjoy it when a book makes me giggle for more than just my inner thoughts to hear. What I will say is that I felt that the book was not always snap your fingers paced. It had its moments where I felt as though I was flying through the pages, but then there would be a snag, and it would feel as though it was dragging.

Thank you to @netgalley @berkleypub and @berkleyromance for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Happy Medium by Sarah Adler is a quirky rom-com that blends humor, romance, and a touch of the supernatural. The story follows Gretchen Acorn, a fake medium who can’t resist a lucrative offer to exorcise a ghost from a friend’s farm. However, Charlie, the farm’s owner, wants nothing to do with Gretchen and her scam. Content to take the money and run, Gretchen is forced to reconsider when she discovers the property is genuinely haunted, she can communicate with the ghost, and Charlie’s life is at risk.

What I Loved:
Character Chemistry: The grumpy-sunshine dynamic between Gretchen and Charlie is delightful. Their interactions are filled with witty banter and genuine emotion, making their evolving relationship engaging and fun1.
Humor and Heart: Adler’s signature humor shines through, providing plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. The story balances these lighthearted scenes with deeper emotional beats, creating a well-rounded narrative2.
Unique Premise: The concept of a fake medium encountering a real ghost adds a fresh twist to the romance genre. The backdrop of a haunted farm and the challenges they face together make for an engaging and entertaining read3.

What Could Be Improved:
Pacing: The plot can feel a bit slow at times, particularly in the middle sections. A more consistent pacing would enhance the overall reading experience2.
Romantic Development: Despite the strong chemistry, the romance between Gretchen and Charlie could have been more developed. Given the buildup, their relationship didn’t feel as strong as it should have2.
Focus on Everett: Everett the Ghost is a standout character, but it sometimes felt like there was more focus on his interactions with Gretchen rather than the developing relationship between Gretchen and Charlie2.

Overall, Happy Medium is a charming and spirited romance that will leave you smiling. Sarah Adler delivers a story full of love, laughter, and ghostly magic, making it a perfect read for fans of contemporary romance with a paranormal twist.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

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3.5 rounded down. A lot of this really worked for me, it just didn't quite come together to make a whole. I liked Gretchen and Charlie, I found their dynamic interesting, and as cringe as Everett was at times I also found him charming. For some reason the side characters and the various conflicts felt a bit forced and not fully integrated, which prevented me from feeling totally satisfied by the journey. There are a few too many repetitive beats early on which come at the expense of really fleshing things out when they get more interesting near the end. Some of the scenes/details really stood out to me - the pool hustle, the baby goat, the scene with Charlie's grandpa in the hospital - and I defintely enjoy Sarah Adler's writing. Looking forward to her next one!

Very cute book. There were many moments I actually laughed out loud. I had the opportunity to meet the author and she was wonderful. She is so funny and witty. Her humor definitely comes across well on the page.

Happy Medium was a fun fall read. It dragged a little at the end but overall a good read from Sarah Adler.

This was such a cute book! Our medium is sent to a man's house to scare away his ghost that's making selling his farm impossible, only she's a con and she can't medium anything. Except...maybe she is? The ghost appears and he's got his reasons for scaring away potential buyers, okay? Overall I really enjoyed this second read from Sarah Adler. It flowed nicely and the romance was satisfying. Plus there are goats.

I wanted to love this one as I thought the premise was awesome. However it fell flat for me because the heroine got on my nerves and the sweet hero and his loveable goats could not redeem the story for me. I am however willing to give the author another try.