The cover and premise had me so interested, but ultimately I think this fell a bit short.

What I liked:
1. The sisterly bond we saw towards the end of the book and the theme of the grass always appears greener on the other side. I liked how after everything Lex had built up in her mind about her family’s thoughts about her and her sister, it was all proven wrong and for the best reasons. While I didn’t love that her sister had some problems in her life, I did like the approach this took to showing Lex that its all about perspective and everyone has their issues. I loved that in learning this, her and her sister had a long overdue bonding session involving sneaking booze from the parents at an age well past 18/21.

2. I liked the flashbacks to the years when Lex and Natalie worked on the vlog creating the ghost stories and “checking them out”. I thought this was super creative and loved hearing the different tales. I actually wish there were more focus on more stories both in the past and current.

3. I really liked Natalie and her family. I liked that Natalie was there for Lex but also wasn’t afraid to tell her that she was likely overreacting about her family. This is the best friend MCs need.

What could have been better:
1. The characters were very meh. There was nothing about either of the MCs that grabbed me in either a good or bad way. The chemistry wasn’t nonexistent, but it was also very meh. Side characters Natalie and Julian had more chemistry in my opinion.

2. I wish we saw more of the town. When Gilmore Girls is mentioned, I feel the town needs to be front and center, which it really wasn’t.

3. The plot itself was very thin. Sabotaging a documentary so your boss thinks there is a ghost in his establishment so he sells to you instead of someone else? I felt this was reaching a bit and definitely didn’t paint our FMC in a good light.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alcove Press, and Amber Roberts for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.

4 Stars

Really cute and sweet and delightfully spooky. It felt a bit slow in parts, otherwise, I loved the town and really enjoyed the romance.

The female lead loves her small town and wants nothing more than to make her life there and build deep roots (oh and to take over the bookshop she works at, and to also bring new life to the town, despite putting it on the map for being haunted thanks to her teenage pranks and youtube). When a documentary crew comes to town to feature the haunts, she teams up and starts to fall for one of the directors. Its a wonderfully spicy yet sweet story about letting life take you where it leads, and growing outside of your comfort zone.

Haunt Your Heart Out by Amber Roberts is one of those crossover books, perfectly bridging the gap between the spooky and holiday seasons. I somehow managed to seamlessly combine the two, reading this book as snow fell down in October!

While this was a fun read, there was a lot that didn't work for me - most of which stemmed from timing issues.

I was never 100% sold on the chemistry between Lex and James, and they progressed from strangers to the mention of the L-word far too quickly! The first can't-keep-hands-off-each-other scene happened at an awkward moment, and the first major steamy scene was far too risqué for a budding relationship and seemed out of character for Lex (it made sense on one level, but that was never enough to justify this encounter for me). Any friction between these two lovebirds ended ridiculously fast, and meeting each others' parents occurred impossibly too soon - which all added to the perfection and quickness of their relationship! Additionally, for something that had created a major riff and had gone on between Lex and her family for years, the conflict was resolved very quickly. Overall, there was a lot packed into this book, everything feeling exaggerated to the extreme.

This was an entertaining three-star read for me, so there were obviously some good qualities here, too!

Ghost stories added to the spooky atmosphere, and the mention of snow created a sense of coziness, encouraging all the small town vibes I love during the last months of the year. I liked the friendship between Lex and Natalie and how they always had each others backs! Both found family and queer representation were equally well done! Lex was a well created character; the relationship she had with her late Grandpa, the house she lovingly took over from him and the pride she showed towards the bookstore/coffee shop she worked at all helping achieve her development!

You know, looking back, maybe Lex just loved with more of her heart than I had anticipated! She truly was an upbeat, happy go lucky character, even when things didn't exactly go her way!

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for the complimentary copy to read and review.

It started out strong then the pacing went to wherever manuscripts go to die.

The characters were great, the plot was great, the pacing was so badly off I struggled to stay engaged.

It just didn't come together for me and honestly, Im a little heartbroken

I did enjoy the end so it got 3.5 stars from me

Thank you to NetGalley, Alcove Press, and Amber Roberts for the ARC of Haunt Your Heart Out. This heartwarming story blends the magic of Halloween and Christmas, following Lex, a thirty-something bookstore worker in the charming town of Stowe, Vermont. The story explores her journey of self-discovery and romance as she navigates mental health struggles, small-town life, and a budding relationship with James, a paranormal filmmaker. The banter between Lex and James is delightful, and the small-town vibes, complete with ghost story subplots, add a cozy charm.

However, the pacing was sometimes uneven, and the third-act conflict felt rushed, with the resolution coming too quickly. While Lex and James had strong chemistry early on, it seemed to fade as the story progressed. Still, it was refreshing to see an older main character and LGBTQ+ representation, making this an enjoyable read for fans of low-stakes, small-town romance with a hint of spookiness.

Sad to say that this wasn’t for me. I kept holding out hope that it would get better but alas, wasn’t meant to be! I did love the Stowe setting and the blend of Spooky and Christmas!

I love the small town read about Lex and James. Lex buys the bookstore she has been working at and she is excited for the chance to put down roots. She has a rule not to date tourists but then she meets James. He is a ghost hunter who came to investigate the many hauntings in town. As a former ghost hunting Vlogger Lex gets involved in the show. Sparks fly between them as they share common interest in books, ghosts, and animals.

A dnf for me. I just could not connect with the characters or get into the story. I wanted to love it and maybe I’ll try again at some point.

Haunt Your Heart Out by Amber Roberts is the perfect cozy romance to curl up with as the leaves start to turn. With all the charm of a Hallmark movie and the quirky vibes of Gilmore Girls, this book delivers just the right mix of warmth, humor, and a little spookiness for autumn reading.

The story centers on a ghosthunter who, unknowingly, starts tracking down the very ghosts once faked by the woman. This setup is as entertaining as it sounds, especially as their paths cross and the sparks start to fly. The characters are so easy to love, and as their relationship unfolds, you really get to see them grow, adding a layer of depth that makes the story even more engaging.

What starts as a lighthearted adventure gradually becomes more emotional, giving the book a surprising depth. Haunt Your Heart Out feels like a sweet escape into a world of romance, mystery, and a bit of autumn magic—a perfect way to settle into the season.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced readers copy of Haunt Your Heart Out, in exchange for an honest review.

"Amber Roberts' 'Haunt your Heart Out' will transport you to a cozy town in Vermont. The book follows the charming, but introverted Lex McCall, you will be drawn into her world of ghosts, love, and unexpected adventures. As Lex navigates her rule of not dating tourists or newcomers, she finds herself caught in a whirlwind when she meets the handsome James, a member of a ghost-hunting documentary crew.
With an unbeatable offer to buy the supposedly haunted bookstore she works at, Lex must balance her growing feelings for James and her secret past as a ghost debunker. As their connection deepens, Lex must confront her fears and decide whether to follow her career dreams or risk it all for a chance at love.
With its blend of romance and the supernatural, 'Haunt your Heart Out' will captivate you with its mix of romance and a touch of magic.

This was a 4 Star read for me! Truly enjoyable!

Unfortunately, this one was not for me. It had several similarities to other books that I have enjoyed much more, so I constantly found myself comparing it to those books.

I just didn't connect with the town or these characters.

This book was a cozy, fun read for fall, perfect for anyone looking for a light spooky romance. Set in a small town during the holiday season, it mixes ghost stories, paranormal investigations, and a dash of Christmas vibes. The plot follows Lex, a small-town bookstore manager with some abandonment issues, and James, a documentary filmmaker who's come to town to investigate local ghost legends. Their romance feels sweet, though a bit fast, and the banter between them adds some cute and funny moments. Also, I was pleasantly surprised by the queer representation, with Lex being pan and James bi.
Although I enjoyed the spooky setup, I was hoping for more actual ghost elements. The book leaned more into the holiday rom-com side, and the haunting parts weren’t as spooky or developed as they could’ve been. The idea of faking hauntings for a documentary sounded fun, but it didn’t play out in a very suspenseful way, and some of Lex’s decisions felt a bit unnecessary, especially when the real-life conflicts she faced—like financial troubles and her relationship with her family—were more than enough to carry the story.
Overall, it’s a cute and quick read with cozy vibes, perfect for fall or winter. If you're in the mood for something light that mixes romance with a touch of holiday magic and a little spooky atmosphere, this book is worth a try!

This book is so perfect for spooky season and I absolutely loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove for the e-arc!
Well this ended up being such a fun read for fall! Halloween is my favorite holiday, and I am always on the hunt for more spooky romances, so this was PERFECT for me. This book is a mix of ghost hunting and paranormal investigations with cozy bookstores and adorable small-town charms; really the perfect Hallmark rom-com set up! Also, unexpected bonus of queer rep, as I didn't see that before reading, so it was a pleasant surprise (Lex is a pan, and James is bi). There are also a bit of Christmasy vibes thrown in, which was unexpected as well.
Overall this was such a cute story! I flew through this in one day, and I highly recommend enjoying some fall-flavored coffee, cocoa, or tea while reading as, from experience, it enhances the vibes!

Thank you, Alcove Press and NetGalley, for the advanced copy of Haunt Your Heart Out.

This was a cute read. I loved the mix of spooky time at Christmas. Every reader loves a character who wants to open their own bookstore. The banter between the characters was adorable. Overall the characters were likable. The story kind of faltered in its pacing. The book tended to get a bit repetitive and slow. Near the end, it was hard to keep my attention.

This was a cute, cozy romance perfect for the spooky season! Hallmark movie vibes with forced proximity (my fave) and I had so much fun reading it!

Haunt Your Heart Out is a pumpkin spice latte in book form: sweet, cozy, plenty hot, and perfect for the chilly days of fall! This was a fun and cozy novel that holds at its center two people learning to accept love.

Spooky & Spicy!! Now's the perfect time to read this sweet romcom from Amber Roberts. All the ghost stories plus the spirit of Christmas, a little bit of everything for the holiday lovers. And they are just stories, not actual paranormal activity just fyi. I love the way the relationships drive the story, not just the romantic ones but familial relationships and friendships. Both MCs have stressed relationships with their families and we see how that affects each of their life paths and the way they see things. Lex has dealt with anxiety for a long time and feels like everyone leaves her behind so she's hesitant to start a relationship with anyone who doesn't plan to stay in her beloved town, but James makes it hard to stick to that plan. Plus, James has the CUTEST sidekick in his dog Lulu so really who could resist? Lex and James are cute and funny, with lots of banter and silly moments, but also tons of tender ones. It's a very cozy, sweet read and I love the way James and Lex seemed destined for each other since he's working on a documentary based on ghost stories and her old vlog is one of the driving factors for his crew choosing Stowe as their filming location.

*small town romance
*ghost stories
*LGBTIA+ rep
*mental health rep
*found family

If you're looking for a feel-good romance with small town vibes, amazing friends, a lovely local book store, and a very cute dog, check this one out!

Thank you Alcove Press for the DRC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book would be perfect for November. It has the cozy spooky vibes of October, but also the wintery and romance vibes of December.

It was a cute small town romance, but the plot was a bit boring. There were too many random moments that felt more like it was there to fill out empty space and not actually important for the story.

The relationship between the main characters felt a bit too fast, but very cute.

I really liked the idea and the premise of the book, but it didn’t meet my expectations. It’s a quick and easy read, so I would still recommend it if you are looking for something with a mix of spooky and wintery/christmasy.

I definitely thought this was a Halloween/October book based on the cover and title, but it’s actually set in wintery Vermont!
Lex works in a small bookstore and is instantly attracted to James, who’s passing through with a ghost hunting documentary crew. Lex, who in the past had staged some hauntings for a popular vlog, decides to help them out by faking some paranormal activity. In doing that, she starts a chain of events she’s afraid will ultimately come back to haunt her, especially as her feelings for him deepen.
This was a fun read that, in addition to fake hauntings and flirty banter, deals with difficult family dynamics, especially parents and living up to their expectations.