Member Reviews
Unfortunately, I could not connect with the characters or story. This book seems like a fun read that will be enjoyed by a lot of people, but it wasn’t for me.
I really enjoyed Claire Kann’s last book so I was excited to pick this one up. Love the idea of a romance centered around a haunted house as well. I liked this! The cast of characters were fun. The story was entertaining and I liked Lucky and Maverick together. I’m always happy to see ace rep in romance novels as well.
I didn’t LOVE it but I liked it and enjoyed the book and I would recommend it to most of my other romance reader friends!
“𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘦, 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘺.”
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this fantastic ARC in exchange for an honest review. When I first saw this ARC, everything about it immediately caught my eye and I just had to get my hands on it. Lucky is all things charismatic, intelligent, and flirty with very unique abilities (ESP). It was really interesting to see how Lucky’s abilities worked along the way with her investigations of the house and people. I loved how different this was in terms of paranormal and romance meshed together. It felt well balanced and everything made sense where I felt like it could happen even in the real world. I enjoyed the concept of the haunted house and appreciated that not every haunted thing is necessarily bad, it can be almost human-like with feelings.
Maverick and Lucky’s romance was also very sweet and though there is a lot of slow burn chemistry between the two, I appreciated that the author explained Lucky being asexual and how her personal thoughts and feelings came into play in the relationship because of it. I think it’s a great introduction to those who don’t know as much about the asexual community and how every experience is different. Her relationship with Rebel, Maverick’s daughter, is also gold. I loved seeing Rebel’s admiration for Lucky blossom and how well the two worked together. All characters had heartwarming relationships that were of true understanding and support. Thank you again to NetGalley and Claire Kann for this wonderful arc. Keep your eyes peeled for May 21st when this lovely book comes out!
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one thing i really loved about this book is that the fmc, lucky, was very much humanized(?) personalized(?) not sure of the correct word, but she was not a walking archetype, which is something rare for a woman in a romance focused book. the love interest, maverick, on the other hand, had zero personality outside of being a nice guy who loved lucky, a single father, and just the right amount of trauma to create conflict to move the plot forward. but he's a man, so who cares about him anyway. the other characters were also nothing memorable, but rebel was adorable in the way of children in single parent romances. and xander was just [redacted] in a wig, so of course i loved him.
the romance was a bit loopy to me, considering the contract, and thus the book, was basically 30 days long(???) like no way you're this much in love already... but aside from this, they're definitely the most sane, most mature couple i've come across in fiction. they always articulate their feelings, almost never any ridiculous arguments or goofy miscommunication plots, (okay, this is a lie, maverick is a man after all so what do we expect. but lucky's perceptive ability made up for it.) and you can see that they really are made for each other. just. how did this happen in a month.
the haunted house plot, i liked, but it felt like it was fighting for attention with the romance plot, and neither were really winning. it would have been better as its own book, i think.
but overall, it was an interesting read. thank you to netgalley for the arc.
Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire Kann
Narrator: Zenzi Williams
Rating: 3 stars
Pub date: 5/21
Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing for my early copy and to PRH Audio for my complimentary audiobook.
Lucky Hart, armed with her special ESP talent, jumps headfirst into the world of paranormal investigation when she spots a chance to crack the case of a haunted production company. What made this especially interesting is the story’s cool, scientific take on all things spooky, with Lucky's methodical approach to the supernatural adding an extra layer of intrigue.
I really liked the asexual representation, the paranormal element, and all of the supporting characters. Lucky herself is an interesting character, oozing confidence even in the face of some serious scrutiny about her talent.
While I enjoyed so much about the story, the one thing that held me back from really loving it was the romance between Lucky and Maverick. It seemed to come out of nowhere, and I never felt any romantic chemistry between them before they declared themselves a couple.
Zenzi Williams is a new-to-me narrator, and I loved listening to her soothing voice throughout this story. She really brought all of the characters to life.
Despite a few bumps in the road, "Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places" is an entertaining and slightly spooky story that's perfect for anyone who enjoys the paranormal.
Read this if you like:
•asexual rep
•haunted houses
•slow burn
The premise of this one was so fun. It was slow at time for me but overall enjoyable. Thank you PRH for ALC
An asexual woman with ESP agrees to stay in a haunted house for thirty days for a tv show, the last thing she expects is to find romance, a new pet cat, and the possible funding for her degree in parapsychology... that is if she can even last more than three nights compared to all the other caretakers who left before her. Lucky Hart has a special affinity for the supernatural yet parapsychology is a very small field and no one takes the field seriously. She wants to make it in this field and desperately wants funding. After being rejected from her grad school twice, she finally gets a chance when she gets info about a production company trying to find a new contestant for their semi-reality show called The Caretaker, in which a contestant has to stay inside the haunted Hennessee House for 30 days. The previous caretakers couldn't stay more than three days before the hauntings became too much. Lucky knows if she gets the job it'll finally be her big break, whether to prove the house is haunted or just get an investor. When she begins staying there she meets Maverick, someone she's adored and soon finds herself falling for him, yet being asexual in a relationship is something new for her. Not to mention she's also beginning to realize the way the house is haunting people. Can Lucky figure out the mystery of Hennessee House and her own relationship? Let me start off by saying I loved the way asexual rep was explored in this story and discussed. The romance was a bit insta love for me but I didn't mind it as much. The story itself was a bit slow in parts and lagging in others. It very much was a slow cozy romance read and I think it would be a great one for people to pick up during spooky season. It's as if Hallmark made a book, thats the best way I would describe this book. It's not bad but it just felt a bit slow for me and dragged on at certain parts. I would recommend it but I also think it could have been better. Overall, yes add this to your spooky season tbr for a soft slow romance with asexual rep.
*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
I loved this haunted house so much - I definitely need more of the history! It was a major draw for me. And I want more!
The topic of asexuality could have used some work. I loved the secondary character's support and encouragement. Honestly the romance worked as a slow burn better than an ace character.
DNF at 34%. Another miss for Claire Kann. I think I’ve realized that while I like her straightforward contemporary romances, if she tries to add extra bells and whistles, like this time with the paranormal element, it just doesn’t work. And the pacing was just too slow.
I wanted this book to move a LOT faster than it did, yet slow down at the same time. The characters were hard to get attached to and the story felt somewhat disjointed.
Really enjoyed this read. Lighthearted, funny, and full of love in unexpected places with a little bit of mystery. I loved the mfc and her journey with having ESP. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a good book with a strong female lead that has a little bit of everything!
I loved this. It was adorable, scary, and emotional. I'm not sure how she worked some kind of alchemy that had me both smiling at how cute things were and then also nearly flying out of my bed when my cat put his paw on my face while I was reading a tense/scary part.
Our lead character is Lucky, a woman with a unique ability and seeking a way to use it to benefit others, as well as explore the supernatural phenomena that humans create. She's picked as the lead on a semi-reality show called the Caretaker and has to stay in Hennessee House for 30 days. The house has a very unique kind of haunting and the previous caretakers didn't make it more than 3 nights. The house came to play...but with Lucky it's a different kind of game.
As Lucky connects with the production team, and the host of the show Maverick Phillips, for the first time in her life she finds a place where she feels like she belongs. Lucky blossoms, even as she's exhausted and fighting for what she thinks are the right things to do, and it's so adorable to see someone who has spent her life as the weird girl to find her other weird people. Love, friendship, comradery, and understanding. That aspect of the book makes you feel like you're experiencing a cozy, validating hug.
It's also pretty freaky at times. While Hennessee House is not necessarily bad, it's very reactive and it wants the people within to react too. Some of the things it does to get a reaction are scary and intense, and in between all the cute and emotional development are moments that will make you tense up, give you goosebumps, your shoulders might creep to your ears, and even a little skin crawling depending on what gets to you.
It's got a great, deep romance, lots of humor, and the kind of characters that you can completely root for. At times it felt a little long and slow but the revealing of everything and how it works out felt like such a reward.
I loved this. I had a great time reading it.
I enjoyed this story. It was sweet and wholesome and just a tad spooky, with a plucky protagonist, a super sweet single dad, and an adorable kiddo. Plus some other really great characters I wish we'd gotten to know more about. And Hennessee House of course.
While I for the most part enjoyed reading this, it was far too long and sometimes really dragged. It took me forever to finish reading it. If it had been shorter, I think I would have enjoyed it more. There's not enough substance there to warrant the length imo.
I really liked Georgia and Xander and I wish we'd gotten more of them. They balanced out Lucky and Maverick's intense insta-love thing they had going on.
I liked the asexual representation, although it sometimes got a little preachy and didn't always 100% make sense to me. But I'm willing to chalk that up to "everyone experiences asexuality differently." That's definitely a type of queer rep we don't often get in romance books so kudos to the author for including it as an integral part of Lucky's romantic experience and not just a sidenote.
The supernatural aspect I enjoyed but found to be very confusing at times. There were multiple times while I was reading that I got tripped up and had to stop and go 'wait, what?' because suddenly I had no idea what was going on.
The first time it happened was at the very beginning when Lucky is lying to Xander and team in hopes of getting the job. She tells the reader that she's lying, but not what the truth is or why it's important for her to lie, and I never felt like the lying was necessary. Lucky doesn't always explain herself very clearly, and she sometimes assumes that people will understand things when they (and the reader) definitely don't.
It was a fun story, not too scary, with just enough supernatural elements to be really unique. I think cutting a little of the length and adding in more of Georgia and Xander could have made it even better.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an early copy for review.
Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire Kann is the ace paranormal romance book for everyone who’s ever had to puzzle out what it means to come home. I would like to establish this book about Lucky Hart, a black asexual parapsychologist with esp uncovering the secrets of a haunted house on reality tv, is so deeply wonderful. For years, Lucky ability to read people’s core personality has led to strained relationships with friends and family, but she is an excellent parapsychologist. She has nannied and done her own leg work for years, but it has all been leading up to the opportunity to be on a show with her favorite paranormal investigator, Maverick, in Hennessee House. She just has to do what no one else has done before, stay in the house for 30 days. Learning the sentient house’s quirks is her dream and the production company she is working with is starting to feel more and more like the first family to ever accept her—especially with Maverick and his adorable daughter Rebel doing their best to make her feel love. It turns out Lucky might just have to redefine what she imagines her life will look like if she wants to figure out what’s really going on at Hennessee House.
If you’ve ever enjoyed sentient homes, found families, or asexual characters you really must pick Kann’s book up. The friendships Lucky develops with everyone in the production company are so well crafted. Everyone feels like a person who I could see having their own book, which is not an easy thing to do. The mystery is difficult to puzzle out. The paranormal world building is intricate and follows understandable rules. The deep examination of what it means to have a home and a family is so well done. All in all, I sincerely recommend preordering Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire Kann is set to release May 21, 2024.
Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire Kannis is a captivating romantic comedy that combines humor with a touch of the supernatural. The novel features a diverse cast of well-developed characters, including the house itself, which adds an intriguing element to the story. Kannis' witty dialogue and realistic character interactions bring the personalities she has created to life. Love ultimately triumphs over the haunted house in this charming and engaging romance.
LFLiatHP is the cozy, spooky, paranormal romance that trad pub has been missing!!! It had just the right amount of ESP, haunted house, and paranormal shenanigans, especially if you're a fraid-y cat like me. It was super intriguing from the start.
Lucky is Black, ace, bi, and a little bit supernatural (ESP as she calls it). She's risking everything by taking the job as Hennessee House caretaker/investigator. She's a super interesting main character because she's seemingly all on her own and always ready to get into a bit of trouble. Honestly, I don't think any other character would have suited the story as well as she did.
Her romance with Maverick is so completely heartwarming and charming. He is always there with a listening ear and a willingness to learn that quite literally any other love interest could never live up to. They suit each other so well and everyone around them knows that.
There's so much more I could say about this one, but I'm going to end it here. Pick this up if you're looking for a cozy, spooky, single-dad, LGBTQ+ read.
I really liked the haunted house plot here but felt the romance distracted from it rather than adding to it. A good ghost story but not a great romance.
In the book Looking For Love In All The Haunted Places by Claire Can we meet lucky heart a woman who is smart intelligent and a certified loner. When she goes to her interview to be the caretaker for the new show Hennessy House after the first three caretakers basically left the home screaming. It seems the house is haunted and just like the house lucky doesn’t seem to have the ability to find those who want to stick around either but then again she has never met single dad gorgeous superstar maverick Phillips and when she does not even Hennessey house can keep them apart. It seems the house wants something and unlike its first three guest lucky who isn’t scared of anything is determined to find out what, but at what cost? I loved lucky I loved Mavericks daughter rebel and Maverick I had first didn’t like Georgie but soon come to love her it seems almost every character in this book is lovable likable in someone to root four by the time the book was over I even felt bad for the house. Not to mention there’s even a cute little homeless cat in the book. I didn’t know what to expect with such a unique original haunted house in book summary but I have to be honest and say I love that I love the lucky although her name is unfortunate I even started to love her quirkiness there is so much in this book that kept me reading especially just wanting to know what the house wanted the whole story is great I don’t know what else to say I want to say something to make you want to read this book but just know it is an awesome book if you like books with haunted houses books about chosen families and dreams finally coming true not to mention an awesome romance then you definitely enjoyed this book I certainly did I also want to say I love the fact that in the book they had multi cultures represented in the characters in yet instead of being bog down and social issues although they did touch on some but mostly just told the story and I thought that was awesome because if anyone wants to read a book about social issues there’s plenty out there now to say that wasn’t represented because it was but not to the point it overwhelmed the narrative this is an awesome book and one I truly enjoyed I want to thank Berkeley publishing for my free ARC copy via NetGalley please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
"Love brings down the haunted house in this captivating romance from the acclaimed author of The Romantic Agenda.
Lucky Hart has a special affinity for the supernatural but almost no one takes parapsychology seriously. She's estranged from her family, lost her friends, and has been rejected from graduate school. Twice. But her big break finally arrives when she gets insider info about a troubled production company. Every actor on their new show mysteriously quits after spending three nights inside Hennessee House, an old Victorian with a notorious reputation.
After scheming her way onto the show to investigate, Lucky meets Maverick Phillips and chemistry instantly crackles between them. He tempts her in ways no one ever has, challenging and supporting her, and making her finally feel seen. Their connection is so palpable everyone notices it - including Hennesee House.
Now Lucky and Maverick's relationship has a challenger: the lonely, sentient house desperate for her undivided attention. As love begins to clash with career, Lucky refuses to choose one over the other because everyone deserves a happily ever after, even houses with haunted hearts. But when all her plans begin backfiring one-by-one, she realizes that if she wants to have it all? She'll have to risk everything."
Aw, even the haunted house deserves a happy ending. Aw.
Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places is a romance and paranormal story about Lucky Hart, an aspiring researcher with ESP, who signs on as a caretaker for the haunted Hennessee House. While dealing with the spooky shenanigans of the house, she falls in love with Maverick Phillips.
I loved this book. It was a perfect combination of the paranormal and romance genres. The story arcs for each genre were separate, but also managed to intertwine in a balanced way. The haunted house aspect was intriguing and not super creepy. The romance had so much chemistry and I was rooting for Lucky and Maverick through the whole book.
Claire Kann writes the best child characters. Rebel is sassy and mischievous and I could’ve used way more of her in the story. The entire cast is diverse: Black characters, a queer and asexual main character (and queer side characters), and plenty of mental health representation.
The one issue I had with the book was that some of the conversations got very confusing. There were times where the characters talked in circles until I lost track of what they were even talking about. I could tell that Kann knew what was happening, but it didn’t translate to the page.
If you don’t like horror, Love in All the Haunted Places is a great book with a haunted house that isn’t scary. It focuses mainly on the emotions of the characters, and fear is a minimal part of that.
CW: emotional abuse (trauma), aphobia, mental illness, isolation, sexual flirting (nothing sexual happens on or off page), mentions of death (ghosts of dead relatives appear)