If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens tells the story of two writers Penelope and Neil. Both Native American writers have a very public dispute resulting in Penelope throwing a book at Neil. Later, the two are brought together again when they go on a writing retreat in Edinburg. Stuck in a haunted castle together, the two are forced to air out their differences and find out what’s really haunting them.

Rating: 3/5 stars ⭐️

I thought I was going to like this book more than I did. Romance and horror are both genres that I prefer, so I was excited to see them mixed. This book, however, is romance with a few ghost sightings and mysteries.

This book does talk about important topics such as how the publishing industry treats BIPOC as well as harmful stereotypes that are written about native Americans. This is where I give it the most points, because I think topics like these are important.

The writing isn’t bad aside from a few areas where it’s repetitive. My only other issue is that when authors write characters who are also authors, it can make a book feel more like a self-insert fan fiction and that’s kind of how I felt about this.

The romance moves very quickly. Well, the whole book moves a bit quick, which I know can be good for some, but for me it was too fast.

Lastly, Penelope and Neil…their “enemies to lovers” situation felt so one sided. It just seemed like it was Penelope who decided they were enemies. Neil was more chill about everything.

Thank you NetGally and Colby Wilkens for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this cover and blurb so was very excited to read, but it just wasn't for me. I found the FMC very draining and could not relate to her. The writing was also not my favorite, but I found some of the one-off lines to be clever. I would have enjoyed this a lot more I think if I would have read around the Halloween season. It was a light/easy read so if you want something as a palate-cleanser, then this could be for you.

The romance in this was fun, and probably my favorite part. I just wish there would have been more chemistry off the bat, and less of Pen blaming Neil for everything.

2.75 stars

This was a fun, spicy Romance about two writers who hate each other, end up in forced proximity in a haunted Scottish Castle, and definitely bang. It was exactly what you expect from the description, and was an easy, breezy book if you like those types of plots. I did find the characters banter to be a little much at times, but mostly it was the predictable arc you expect from this type of Romance.

Great if you are into:

- Ghosts
- Spicy Romance
- The writing process

I’ve been looking forward to reading this book since I first heard about it. Enemies to lovers? Haunted castle? Scotland? Yes, please! I was so excited to get my hands on an early copy. It was a quick read, and I enjoyed the unique spin on the genre!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

Unfortunately, the characters and plot made this story very difficult to get through. The main character is whiny and manipulative. She spends the entire book bullying her ‘love interest’ for being hurt by the same industry that hurt her, after she PHYSICALLY ASSAULTS HIM. And I’m supposed to enjoy that they get together???? Also! Every chapter either starts with one POV thinking 1. I hate Neil/Pen 2. I am attracted to Neil/Pen and don’t know why/don’t want to act on my feelings. UGH and no one is doing any writing the whole time.

This book fell flat in so many ways. I really wouldn’t recommend it to a friend.

I was hoping to love this book, but I wasn’t able to connect with the characters and they moved on too quickly from enemies to lovers. It was a cute fall rom com with Native American and LGBT representation, and I know others will enjoy it more than me!

The book explores the rocky relationship between two Native writers, Penelope Skinner and Neil Storm, who hate each other. Their animosity peaks during a heated exchange at a writers' panel. In an attempt to overcome their writer's block following their heated exchange, they both attend a writing retreat at a haunted Scottish castle.There, they are forced to collaborate to solve the mystery of the ghost haunting the castle.

What I appreciated most about the book was its focus on Native representation in publishing. Despite being rivals in the horror genre, Pen and Neil strive to carve out space for themselves as BIPOC authors in the industry. The supporting characters added a touch of comedy, though at times, they seemed overshadowed by the main plot.

However, there were aspects I didn’t like. The ghostly elements were not as frightening as I had anticipated, and the ghost mystery they set out to solve was disappointingly underwhelming, especially after the significant buildup in the second half of the book. The relationship dynamics felt more like infatuation and lust than true love, making it hard to connect with the characters. Penelope, in particular, was unlikable; her unreasonable anger towards Neil and her manipulative behavior, making him feel responsible for her failed career, detracted from her character development. Although these traits were intentional for the plot, she showed little growth or empathy throughout the story.

Overall, it was still an entertaining read and I would recommend for those interested in a romance novel with spooky elements.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

This debut rom-com by Colby Wilkens put together a two of my favorite things; romance, comedy, and ghost stories. I was hooked by the time I finished the prologue. When rival horror authors Penelope and Neil find themselves living their own personal horror story after being snowed in together at a haunted castle in the Scottish Highlands that their friend decided would be the perfect location for a writer retreat. As they work together to unravel the story of ghosts haunting the castle walls, they find themselves changing the way they view one another. I really enjoyed that BIPOC representation and how the characters address the issues they face as native authors in the writing business. With the dual POV you get the chance to experience both Pen and Niels awkwardness towards other another in both perspectives which will make you giggle. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book.

If I Stopped Haunting You is set to release on October 15th which makes it perfectly timed for those who enjoy a good seasonal real. What better time to read a ghost story if not during the spook season?

Tropes:
🩶Enemies/Rival to Lovers
🔥Slow Burn
🌨️Snowed In
😊Native MC’s
🏳️‍🌈LGBTQ+ Representation
👻Ghosts
🩵He Falls First
🏰Castles

I was very intrigued by this book from the cover! I read the blurb and couldn’t wait to start this book. I had high hopes for this book but it wasn’t what I expected.

Penelope was a difficult person to like from the start especially since she threw a book Neil. I understand she doesn’t like Neil because he disrespects their culture however, there is a right and wrong place to criticize someone. Pen got a lot of hate for the way she acted and that’s her fault. She never really owned up to it in the beginning and kept blaming Neil. They end up getting stuck together when they go on a writing retreat to this haunted castle. I loved the thriller and ghost aspects of this book and enjoyed reading this at night!

I never felt this was an enemies to lovers if she keeps thinking he’s so attractive from the start and vise versa. I felt like their relationship was a bit forced to begin with when they literally had one of the worse interactions at a book event. As I’ve said before, I did love the ghost aspects and I never usually read thriller and horror but I would definitely give others a shot at this!

Thank you to NetGalley for this Arc in exchange for my honest review!

Penelope Skinner's writing career crashed when her fight with bestseller Neil Storm went viral. Maybe she shouldn't have chucked a book at his smug face. But now she's hopelessly stuck, with writer's block and looming life decisions. She'll take this one last chance on a friend's winter writing retreat at a wild Scottish castle, before she abandons her dreams. But she wasn't expecting the castle to be haunted, for the weather to strand them all with no way out, or, worst of all, for Neil Storm to be there.

I'm a big fan of gothic romance and contemporary gothic, and this book was a love letter to gothic horror in a romcom package. Best of all, as well-read authors, the main characters knew what genre they were in! But that doesn't stop them from getting sucked into the ghost story. That was a clever twist on the well-trodden gothic tropes, and Wilkens balanced the horror and lighter elements well to maximize them both. I also loved the deeper discussion of Native representation in fiction and the way the industry pits POC against each other for scarce opportunities. And Neil is such a shy golden retriever I can't imagine not falling in love with him!

This is a good read for anyone who loves gothics or classic horror stories. But anyone who likes their romance with a side of ghosts and steam could fall in love with this book.

I really liked the concept of this story: a spooky horror romance set in a haunted Scottish castle. Unfortunately, it fell a bit flat for me. Spoilers ahead.

Things I liked...

- Native representation and honest discussions about discrimination and the white washing of BIPOC stories in the publishing industry.

- Multiple mentions of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, something that every single person needs to be talking about more.

- The spooky castle setting was fun, I love a creepy ghost. And Scotland.

Things that fell flat...

- The "enemies to lovers" trope was weak here. They weren't enemies as much as rivals, and the pacing was so fast that they were no longer enemies in the span of about 24 hours.

- Character development needed work, I feel like I didn't really know much about either of them, which made it hard for me to connect emotionally or become truly invested in their love story.

- I wish the ghost story had more of a punch. It was spooky, but I was hoping for more of a twist.

Overall, this was cute and fun, if not a little cheesy. It was a quick read and would be perfect for spooky season.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘚𝘵. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯'𝘴 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴/𝘚𝘵. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯'𝘴 𝘎𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

This was fun! It’s the perfect read before Halloween/fall so it’ll be one to keep an eye out for on release day! I didn’t connect to it *as well* as I’d hoped but I definitely still would recommend it to give a shot!

I thought I would love this book. Reading the description it had everything I was looking for. Sadly, it just left me searching for something else. Penelope and Neil were just horrible to each other. Neil just had an ick I couldn't get past. It felt like Penelope was just gaslighting Neil and us throughout the book. I'm still giving it 3 stars because of the side characters and the scenery.

I do want to thank NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC copy. I promised to give an honest review.

DNF’s at 8%. I’d like to tell all the young folks out there that if your industry rivals assaults you to the point of drawing blood, you should sue them, not bang them. Disappointing turn of events, to be sure.

If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens
This story is about a Native American writer (Penelope Skinner)who has a horrible PA experience that hurts her career. Penelope is convinced to go on a writing retreat to help find her muse again but doesn't know that she's secretly being ambushed by the enemy and ghosts.
This ARC did not give what it should have gave for me. One it wasn't scary at all, two the romance was really not there!
Every time the main characters would encounter a romantic moment the focus point was taken away so quickly. This goes for all the spooky moments as well!
The writing style I don't think it was for me honestly, I felt like the author kept switching the topic within the chapters so suddenly and didn't really give the scenes time to evolve.
They weren't enjoyable for me at all. Laszlo and Daniella were there for no reason, maybe if they were involved more throughout the book it could have made it better.
The ghost reasoning for lingering there for that long was so uncalled for. I really feel like there could have been a better reason for how dramatic it got towards the ending.

I would describe If I stopped Haunting You as spooky spicy. Rival writers Penelope and Neil find themselves attending a writing retreat at a haunted castle together. Both of them need this retreat to get their writing careers back on track and they are not backing out. Snowed in a with a mystery to solve they begin to grow closer but can they uncover the secrets of the castles past inhabitants or will they end up joining them.

There’s a lot to love here, the characters are funny and charming. The conflict between Pen and Neil and the discussion of indigenous voices in publishing was really interesting. The castle and the haunting is atmospheric and spooky and I was invested in the mystery.

The weak point, for me, is when it comes to pacing and tone. There’s moments when the characters go from heart pounding terror and without a beat the reader is thrown into a spicy scene. Both scenes work but without a breather the tonal whiplash takes you out of the story. However all in all I had a really good time. I really like Wilkens voice and as a debut novel it was intriguing and entertaining. This is definitely a writer that I’m looking forward to reading more from in the future.

If you’re looking for spooky vibes with enemies to lovers, spicy moments, and lovable characters this is such a fun ride!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really wanted to love this book: the cover immediately drew me in, the promise of spook and romance sealed the deal. While it did deliver on the promise of sultry, once I started reading I found myself a little lost in the plot. The characters go from publishing enemies to instant lust, despite a reassurance they have been VERY unfriendly, leading me to scratch my head while looking up from the pages more often than reading them. The writing was easily digestible, with only a bit of repetition in parts. I did enjoy the setting and the way the castle and all its dark parts were described, it was immersive in those moments, but I hesitate to label this as anywhere near scary/horror as it was not very horrific. The moments meant to shock and scare you were fairly disjointed from the rest of the tone, especially when followed by instant steamy scenes between characters (which any romance reader will appreciate), that I was not scared, but a little confused as to whether or not they were intended to be serious. Overall, it was an enjoyable book and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick steamy read.

I really wanted to love this book: the cover immediately drew me in, the promise of spook and romance sealed the deal. While it did deliver on the promise of sultry, once I started reading I found myself a little lost in the plot. The characters go from publishing enemies to instant lust, despite a reassurance they have been VERY unfriendly, leading me to scratch my head while looking up from the pages more often than reading them. The writing was easily digestible, with only a bit of repetition in parts. I did enjoy the setting and the way the castle and all its dark parts were described, it was immersive in those moments, but I hesitate to label this as anywhere near scary/horror as it was not very horrific. The moments meant to shock and scare you were fairly disjointed from the rest of the tone, especially when followed by instant steamy scenes between characters (which any romance reader will appreciate), that I was not scared, but a little confused as to whether or not they were intended to be serious. Overall, it was an enjoyable book and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick steamy read.

Cute love story with a twist!!!! It was amazing to see two love stories intertwined into one and notice how it all went together. This story is a bit romcom and a bit mysterious. Loved it and could not put it down.

I first saw this book when the Publishers Marketplace listing went up and it seemed right up my alley! Indigenous horror writer romance set at a haunted Scottish castle? I'm in!

And... it was pretty good. I give it more like a 3.5. I really enjoyed the commentary on Indigenous inclusion (or not) in publishing, and I honestly did like both characters. I did find that the love story seemed to wrap too quickly for a romance - the romance was happy and whole too early on for my liking. And then it went to the horror element which as a horror reader, I didn't quite get. They have to figure out the haunting but... why? There didn't feel like there were enough stakes to pull the book along with the haunting as main plot.

Still, it was a quick and breezy read, with some moments that felt quite spooky.

I received a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.