This was my first foray into the world of paranormal romance and it did not disappoint. I am a big fan of cozy mysteries and this novel managed to capture that atmosphere in spades. I absolutely loved the setting and all of the characters. The is-it-or-isn't aspect of the home being haunted also added a layer of fun and intrigue for the reader. Cassie is an amazing lead character and I want more in this series.
My only issue was the ending as I felt it was dim compared to what it was supposedly going to be a big bright finale.

Thank you Berkley!

Cassie Rutherford buys a house and moves to Boneyard Key, Florida when she feels like her friends’ lives are leaving her behind. They were all getting married and having kids, and Cassie wanted a break from constantly feeling left out. She didn’t realize she was moving to a haunted house in a haunted town, though. Cassie has to make sense of her laptop never charging at her house and with cryptic magnetic poetry on her fridge. Local coffee shop owner Nick Royer doesn’t do relationships but he’s more than happy to show Cassie around his local haunts.

This was my first by Jen DeLuca and I was totally charmed by it! Cassie was a really relatable FMC, and moving to a new place when she was feeling left out really resonated with me. Nick was a cute golden retriever (when he was himself) and I thought it was sweet how quickly he went all in with Cassie.

I liked that this was self aware enough to call out the pace of the romance, too. It’s definitely a slow burn but once they get together it moves fast. In many romances I read that fast timeline is normalized and here I really enjoyed that they acknowledged that it was fast but also that it worked for them. There’s no wrong or right way to fall in love and I like that Cassie and Nick show that here.

Recommended if you enjoy:

👻paranormal
☕️ slow burn
💘 found family
🪦 slightly spooky
🌹 taking down the patriarchy one ghost at a time

This is a really cute paranormal romance book. I really enjoyed the characters and the small town vibes. I read this book in one sitting and it is the perfect book for fall! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

Read if you like:
🏘️ Small Town Romances
👻 Ghost Stories
🏡 Haunted Houses/Towns
🧐 Meddlers
🔥 Slow Burn
❤️ Insta-Attraction

Oh my gosh! This was my first book by Jen Deluca and now I can’t wait to read more as I absolutely ate up her storytelling with this one! And the fact that it’s the first in a series I am sooo excited to come back to this spooky small town with her future installments!

If you like meddling & small town romances and a bit of supernatural aspects with spooky ghosts haunting the small town, make sure to pick this one up! The vibes that Happy Medium had earlier this year are definitely similar to the vibes of this book, so if you loved that one, you’ll love this one too!

All in all, I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed this one, and really hope others read and enjoy it as much as I did!

I loved the insta-attraction, but slow burn, meddling ghosts, the reveals of what was happening with the ghosts in town, and all the side characters as it just made it such a well rounded feeling romance.

TW did discussion of infertility, abusive partners, and abandonment.

Thank you so so so much to Berkley and PHRA and Libro.fm for my gifted ARC and audiobook copies of this new favorite of mine in exchange for my honest review!

✨ Review ✨ Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca

Thanks to Berkley, PRHAudio and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

I was a huge fan of Jen's Well Met series, but this one just didn't quite do it for me. I didn't feel captured by the chemistry between the characters, and so the romance was just kind of meh for me.

I did love the ghostiness of it all and the town that they're living in, but if I'm being honest, by the end, I was reading more for the resolution of the ghost story than for the romance. Maybe it was just a wrong book, wrong time situation for me, but this one was just okay.

This book grew on me as I was reading it. The first half was a little rough and the romance didn’t really grab me how I liked. But I was THERE for all the ghost history! The paranormal aspect was my favorite theme and I ended up invested in the mystery.

I enjoyed the location and the world building was charming, small town with ghosts and interesting history. The romance between Cassie and Nick was a little instant so I didn’t feel involved as much in their characters but it was an enjoyable book with a happy ending.

I’m curious to read more books in this series, perhaps about a tour guide and a bookstore owner with a few spooky ghosts 👀

3.5⭐️

Thanks to Berkeley for the giveaway copy.

Thank you to Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of “Haunted Ever After” by Jen DeLuca in exchange for an honest review.

Cassie Rutherford, feeling left behind as her friends get married and start families, decides her life needs a big change. She buys a sea-side cottage in Boneyard Key, a town entirely devoted to ghost tourism. She belatedly discovers that it’s not just the town that has ghosts; her new home comes with an undead roommate called Mean Mrs. Hawkins.

Meanwhile, local coffee shop owner Nick Royer also has a roommate. Elmer, the former owner of the coffee shop, long deceased, continues to offer suggestions on how the coffee shop should be run. Elmer hates the way Nick makes banana bread but he does approve of the cute, new girl in town, encouraging Nick to ask her out. Nick does not need much encouragement. After a slightly bumpy start, they get along swimmingly.

What follows is an incredibly adorable, low key romance between Cassie and Nick, supported by a fully charming cast of characters, both living and dead. Cassie and Nick are both appealing characters, if maybe a little too flawless. There is no terrible 3rd act break-up; their brief separation is brought about circumstances they didn’t yet understand (though readers will absolutely surmise what’s happening). There’s just no question that these two crazy kids will wind up together; their on-page chemistry is apparent from the start.

Strongly recommended for folks who want the romance equivalent of a cozy mystery and readers who prefer ghosts more like Casper than the Librarian from Ghostbusters. Pick this up if you need a Florida vacation, minus the Florida Man antics.

2/5 Stars

Thank you to Berkley for blessing me with an arc.

I was so excited when I got a widget for this one as I loved the Well met series by Jen Deluca but this one fell flat for me. I thought the paranormal elements were interesting but felt somewhat surface level. The relationship between the two main characters didn’t work for me and I didn’t fully believe it. And then the part that bothered me most was what I found to be a poor representation of Endometriosis.

Cassie Rutherford is a transplant to Boneyard Key, a quiet coastal town that boasts about being haunted for tourism so she thinks. She bought an adorable cottage that seemed perfect until weird things start happening, she can’t charge her laptop but the electrician said everything is fine, magnets on her fridge started moving on their own, giving her messages and so much more. Nick Royer the owner of the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop embraces the spookiness and tolerates tourists so when Cassie walks into his shop and ignores him just to steal his wifi and outlet he just thinks it is another tourist. But soon they strike up a friendship and try to figure out what is happening in her house and soon Cassie worries she is in too deep with her haunted house and what was supposed to be a casual relationship.

Cassie and Nick’s relationship felt somewhat surface level because they really only accept being more than casual at like 80% or so in but it wasn’t like it was them fully developing a friendship because things kept getting in their way. Cassie was fine but I felt like she could have developed a lot more like she could have accepted or talked to her so called friends, we don’t know much about her family or what her life was really like before moving.

It also is said in one line that Cassie has endometriosis, it felt like a throwaway line and it was purely her internal monologue and it also hinted that she had ovarian cysts. But it felt like she was ashamed of the endo and she never talks about it more. All she tells the MMC is that she can’t have children due to medical reasons which is fine because they had just made up but I wish we had seen another conversation that dove more into it. What also made if feel like an afterthought was during the spicy scene her stomach is actually mentioned and there are no scars when Endo can only be diagnosed via surgery so the odds are she would have one scar that would have been visible during that and it would have been a great way to bring it back up. But instead the only mention was one time 60% in and that was it. Many with endo can have kids but some can’t and it could have been great representation if it was gone into more but instead it felt like an afterthought. I don’t know if this is based on the author’s experiences. I didn't see anything in the acknowledgments but I don’t want to discount that it could be. I just think that it was lacking as someone who has endo.

I didn’t have a bad time with this book for most of it but it wasn’t what I wanted or expected from Jen’s other books. The representation truly was what was the most disappointing in this book. I probably would have given this 3.5 until the endometriosis was brought up and done in what I thought was a poor way.

What a fun read for spooky season! Or the summer season! Or really any season! This is a great romance read any time of the year, with real depth to the story. Both Cassie and Nick are lovable main characters, and the setting of Boneyard Key is delightful kitschy - it's a character in and of itself! The paranormal element adds a unique layer. Nothing feels gimmicky. Ghosts are a way of life in Boneyard Key and if you accept that, you're along for a wonderful ride.

There were some repetitive moments in terms of inner monologues in both the POVs but that was easy to overlook for me. I was invested in the mystery the of Hawkins House and the budding relationship between Nick and Cassie. The spice was also very tasteful (and minimal at that, so this is definitely still accessible to closed-door readers - just skip that scene)! Excellent pacing as well - it was fast without feeling too fast.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for my ARC!

Thank you to Jen DeLuca and Berkeley Publishing Group via NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved DeLuca’s “Well Met” series and was super excited for a new series from her. “Haunted Ever After” was an enjoyable read. I found the characters to be dynamic and realistic and loved how DeLuca built the town of Boneyard Key. It’s like if a Hallmark small town was full of ghosts. The relationship between the main characters was sweet and wholesome (besides some plot related issues). If you’re looking for an enemies to lovers or even friends to lovers style romance, then I’d look elsewhere. This story followed the two meeting, minor issues that are quickly squashed, instant attraction and interest, and then the relationship developed from there.

I really loved the haunted aspect. The main mystery is fairly obvious early on, but DeLuca does a great job creating both living and dead characters that are interesting and endearing. I would recommend this book to fans of DeLuca’s first book, “Gilmore Girls” lovers, and anyone who likes the spooky not scary Halloween movies.

A fun and spookily charming romance, Haunted Ever After follows Cassie as she moves from the hustle and bustle of a tourist city to a small and quaint town with some unexpected inhabitants.

Cassie is a great protagonist, and I really enjoyed her story. A bit lost since all of her friends are getting married and having kids, Cassie feels untethered and left behind. Moving to Boneyard Key is just the fresh start she's looking for. Boneyard Key is a small town known for its paranormal occurrences and inhabitants, and Cassie's new home, which has been empty for years, is one of the most haunted places in town. Of course, Cassie doesn't believe and thinks this is all a kitschy way to get visitors, but she soon realizes that not all of the haunted tales are fiction.

The blend of romance with a bit of mystery is great. Cassie learns so much about Boneyard Key and what happened to some of its residents. She also makes some new friends who are great, too, both spectral and human. Of course, Nick is my favorite. A grumpy coffee shop owner with a hilarious ghost in tow, Nick isn't prepared to have his world turned upside down by Cassie, but that's exactly what happens. She's the sunshine to his grump, and she makes him think twice about his rule to remain single and unattached. And underneath his brusque exterior is a big old softie, and I love that!

As Cassie becomes more enmeshed in the mystery surrounding the previous owners of her house, and she experiences some scary happenings, Nick and others help her in her search for answers. It's an intriguing mystery, as are all the different ways that the characters communicate with their ghostly friends and potential enemies. I loved all of the paranormal elements in the story and town. It kind of reminded me of a smaller, more charming version of Salem, Massachusetts without all the witch-hunt scariness.

I really enjoyed this story. It's fun and entertaining, and I loved some of the spectral friends and situations that come Cassie and Nick's way. Special thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this book! I thoroughly enjoyed it and the characters will stay with me always. I’m gonna miss ol Elmer but I’m so glad Nick and Cassie got their HEA.

I loved this ghostly romance! It wasn't scary at all. I liked how the ghosts were just remnants of how they were in life so there was only one that was truly scary. The communication aspect was cute and I enjoyed the romance between Cassie and Nick. I can see potential for a couple of other romances among some of the characters in town and I look forward to reading more in the series.

Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summer is the season for beach read romances. Fall is the season for darker stories of mystery and delicious twists. Haunted Ever After fills the gap between the two like it was conceived to bridge it. A ghost story romance set in a small-town in Florida is the perfect read for the end of summer as the days grow shorter, and the supernatural veil begins to thin.

Cassie Rutherford is looking for something to call her own. In a crazy real estate market, she ends up buying a flipped home in the tiny coastal town of Boneyard Key which boasts of being the most haunted town in Florida. Tourist towns all have a bogus kitsch to bring in money, but when strange things start happening around her historical home, and the locals claim authenticity, she realizes she may have been a little hasty in her move away from Orlando. But the sunsets from her backyard beach can't be beat, and Nick Royer, the hunk who runs the cafe, might just be exactly what she's been looking for.

Boneyard Key is the quirky, lovable setting we love in a small-town romance. The punny shop names, the locals-only hidden gems, the colorful cast of characters, and, of course, the gossip no one can ever escape.

Nick is a BK native with an abandonment complex that leaves him resentful toward outsiders and defensive about the town he grew up in. When Cassie has to use his shop to plug in her laptop so she doesn't miss an important work meeting, he mistakes her for a workaholic tourist in a yummy, conflict-ridden meet cute I ate up like candy. Our lead characters both know who they are and are okay on their own, which makes their slow-fall romance all the more delicious.

The main conflict of the story is the mysterious haunting of the house Cassie bought. Abandoned for decades, she is the first person to reside in the house since the original owners in the early twentieth century. With the help of local historians, Buster the handyman, a bona-fide medium, and our hunky hero, they inch ever closer to the root of the issue.

I really appreciated that despite the twisty mystery, the tone remained in romantic comedy territory. This is a fun, light-hearted read that won't scare you away with any dark twists. It has themes of female empowerment, strong community, and giving yourself permission to grow, change, and move on. This isn't a psychological thriller, I had the twist figured out about a hundred pages before Cassie did, but it's an interesting conflict that entangles and complicates the rising action of the romance.

I'm so glad I was fortunate enough to be chosen as an ARC reader for this book. I had a smile on my face through the whole thing. It was a joy to read, and I recommend it for any fan of romantic comedies!

Also, I now have an undeniable craving for a buffalo tender sub sandwich from Publix and a sunset walk on the beach. Unfortunately, I live in Colorado, so neither is in my immediate future - ha!

This was a 3.5 star read for me!

I love a good kitschy small town, and Boneyard Key was just that. This was easy to read and had a light romance as well as a mystery subplot.

Cassie and Nick were a cute couple and I appreciate the way they helped each other heal from previous hurts. I also really loved all the ghosts and how they had their own personalities. It added a fun twist to an otherwise standard love story.

My main issue is that the climax of the story felt almost like a parody, and it didn’t really match with the vibes of the book. In a magical realism story, you obviously have to suspend your disbelief, but I felt like not enough explanation was given for how the whole afterlife thing works. The author could have gone in more detail instead of brushing over it.

All in all, this would be a great fall read even though it’s set in the summer time. It has just a hint of spookiness that makes for a great Halloween read.

I love a spooky small-town romance!!

The vibes from this book were so good; cute small town, falling for the coffee shop owner! the town and the characters were all so easy to love. I really love the little girl group that Cassie eventually gains.
I was rooting for Cassie and Nick from the start. I loved their initial awkward meeting; it was very cute. I did enjoy the ghost story/mystery over the romance, but it's all so intertwined! The ghosts were actually really interesting characters in the book; I liked how invested Cassie was in finding the truth. I wanted to stay in the world a little longer. This book really just felt like sweet, spooky, cozy, and it was so fun.

I recommend reading with a slice of banana bread! (Or Lemon loaf♥)

Unique rom-com with a dash of mystery and ghosties. "Haunted Ever After" is delightfully written around a creative plot. I would happily visit Boneyard Key and look forward to recommending this Jen DeLuca's latest offering to library patrons.

Synopsis
Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca is a charming and unique romance set in the small town of Boneyard Key, Florida, known as the most haunted town in the state. Cassie, feeling left out in Orlando, takes a chance on a new home in this quirky town. She's enchanted by the place and especially by Nick, the grumpy coffee shop owner down the street.

However, strange things start happening in her new house—like her laptop charger refusing to work despite the electrician’s assurance that everything’s fine. Cassie begins to wonder if the town's ghost stories are more than just tourist bait. She's torn between dealing with a possibly haunted house and her deepening feelings for Nick, who fears she might get too spooked and leave.

My Thoughts
I was pleasantly surprised by this story. I'd heard of the author's previous series but never got around to it, so I was excited to dive into this new release. Her writing style is great, and the plot is unique to me. I love romances with a twist, and this book delivered!

Cassie and Nick were delightful. I will say that I would have liked to learn more about them individually, as some aspects felt a bit surface-level. Despite this, I enjoyed how their relationship developed. They had a funny, not-so-meet-cute that I quite liked. But they quickly turned it around and handled things maturely, which was a nice balance for me. These two had plenty of spark and tension between them that I loved. The book was mostly mild and clean but still really packed a punch every time they interacted (and graced us with a fun, spicier scene towards the end, as well).

The plot was fascinating. I've never read anything quite like it, and the author handled it brilliantly. The paranormal elements were mild but added just enough spookiness here and there to keep things interesting. The story was a mix of heartbreaking and heartwarming moments, really highlighting the author's ability to create such a range of emotions. I didn’t quite know where the story was headed, which made it fun to piece things together as I read. It wasn’t super twisty or shocking, but it kept me engaged and curious.

My main critique is that the ending felt a bit cheesy and rushed, which took me out of the story a bit. It wasn't terrible but seemed less realistic compared to the rest of the book.

Despite that, I highly recommend this book and am eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series!


Thank you, NetGalley, for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Cassie's friends in Orlando are all getting married and having children, and Cassie feels on the outs in that friend group. To start anew, she packs up and moves to Boneyard Key and buys a cute little house near the beach. Only Cassie isn't alone; the mysterious Hawkins House may be haunted by a former resident. Nick has grown up in Boneyard Key. He owns the local coffee shop and has a ghostly roommate of his own. Can Nick show Cassie the charms of this haunted small town before she gets spooked and leaves? I really enjoyed meeting all the residents of Boneyard Key, living and otherwise. I look forward to the next installment in this series.

I totally love Jen DeLuca's Well Met series and was very excited about reading this story. I was heartbroken that I couldn't get into the writing. The story started slow and was just so slow. When I lost interest in the story, I couldn't get it back, no matter how hard I tried. If I have to "force" myself to continue reading, I knew it was time to throw in the towel.