Imagine moving to the most haunted town in all of Florida. That is precisely what Cassie does; at first, she thinks it is all just a gimmick to attract tourists. Trying to escape a life she no longer feels welcome in. Cassie bought a beautiful little cottage on the water and couldn't be happier or lonelier. That is until she meets the grumpy cafe owner, Nick Royer. Why does he have to be so cute? Why does he have to make the best coffee in town? And, why does her laptop keep dying at home, forcing her to go to the cafe to mooch their power and Wi-Fi? When Nick tells her the ghosts are real, she scoffs at first until she meets her new ghost in her own home!

Jen DeLuca's Haunted Ever After is the perfect mix of rom-com novel and paranormal mystery. As Cassie sets out to learn about the ghost who occupies her house, you can't help but wonder who the "Mean Mrs. Hawkins" is or why she is still haunting the house. The slow-burn romance between Nick and Cassie is cute and sometimes frustrating (get-together already)! Perfect for romance novel lovers who like just a little spice. I laughed at the ghosts' antics and swooned at the love building between the two main characters.

Disclaimer: While I received a free advanced reader copy of the novel, this review's thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

I loved the book, a bit of spookyness is necessary eh,?? I loved the characters and their dynamics. I was like shocked when they said that the old owner of store was dead and his ghost was the one talking? Like what…. Until that point I was like oh they like to creat drama there’s no ghost but that… oooh. I loved all the things. I would have liked it better if, the introduction or the meet would have been better. I liked that they bantered at the beginning but it would have been better to have them keep the banter or rather they had a sweet meet. Them meeting was the one flaw that k could n the book. I know the beginnings can be tricky. But I loved the book nonetheless.

I am a huge fan of Jen DeLuca’s Well Met series and this did not disappoint.

I loved the intrigue and mystery of Boneyard Key and The Hawkins Hosue. I honestly want more about the ghosts and the town.

I enjoyed that the story led the book and not just background to a romance. A lot of time I feel authors sacrifice a good plot for spice and this book did not.

As someone who has lived in Florida in the past, the mention of Publix and Pub subs was just a nice, cozy love note.

This is the third or fourth ghost romance I’ve read in the last year–not sure why it’s trending this season–or why they are being published in the springtime, instead of October (where they belong! Not really–Ashley Poston’s brilliant novel The Dead Romantics takes place over a week in April). In Haunted Ever After, the entire coastal town of Boneyard FL, and the descendants of the Founding Fifteen have a knack for communicating with them. Nick has never left town and runs a coffee shop where he runs into a new resident, Cassie, taking up his electricity to charge her laptop because her outlets at home aren’t working.

Their initial cantankerous meeting quickly abates, and Nick learns Cassie is the new owner of Hawkins House, a stop on the local walking ghost tour that his friend Sophie leads. As Cassie is sitting on her dark balcony, she overhears the docent sharing the history of her supposedly-haunted home, and the magnetic poetry words on her refrigerator rearrange themselves to spell out WRONG and MY HOUSE. Cassie sleeps outside on the porch that next, and the next morning, drags Nick home to see the fridge. Nick is less fazed; not only has he grown up with the whole ghost thing, but the former owner of his establishment haunts his home and keeps in touch with “helpful” unsolicited suggestions about the cafe via texts from various unlisted numbers. Nick and Cassie are falling for one another, but it seems like her ghost doesn’t like him, and his is a voyeur/c**kblocker. Nick’s baggage is that his long-time girlfriend left him because he never had dreams beyond their hometown, which is why he only dates tourists; and as soon as he hears Cassie might be thinking about selling and not sticking around, his guard goes up. Will they ever be able to actually get together?

While a contemporary novel, the paranormal element is an offshoot of fantasy, and that requires fantastic world-building. Deluca delivers, in the clever ways the dead find to communicate with the living, in the puns that abound with the names of the various shops and restaurants, and in the character of a Florida town on the water–there is a lovely sincerity to the locals the belies the tourist trap heritage. I did find the relationship development abrupt, and the character development surprisingly shallow. I was worried Cassie and Nick’s initial meet-rough was going to string the reader along in a frenemies to lovers trope, but they actually communicated and resolved things; maybe I just didn’t have a strong sense of the timeline, but the “I love you’s” seemed too soon and not quite warranted. The sinister elements of the haunting touch on the patriarchy and came off a little “on a soap-box preaching to the choir” but I’m also frustrated and mad as hell and get where DeLuca is coming from. Nick’s takeover by a ghost reminded me of another recent read that pulls from an episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and what is it with ghosts loving trash television (both Cassie’s Sarah and Gretchen’s Everett from Sarah Adler’s Happy Medium love reality tv). This was a satisfying read with the mystery solved and the characters hooking up but I didn’t love it on the level of the charming, funny, hot, clever Well Met, and found myself plodding a bit through to the end.

I received a free advanced reader’s review copy of #HauntedEverAfter via #NetGalley, courtesy of Berkley.

4.5 stars. This was a strange but entertaining book. Nick owns a haunted coffee shop and Cassie just moved into a house that seems to have its own ghost in this little Florida town that boasts it's the most haunted place in America. Of course, Nick's ghost is the former owner, who somehow texts him all day with his opinions on recipes and what Nick could be doing better. Cassie's ghost seems more sinister, although the truth may be much more complicated. And what's worse, as Nick and Cassie grow closer, the ghost in her house really seems to dislike Nick. Who can Cassie trust?

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

This was delightful! I love stories with ghosts. Jen DeLuca's creativity knows no bounds. What a unique story, a rarity in the romance genre, I can't wait to see what she comes out with next.

I wanted to love this book. A romance in a ghost town is 100% my kind of thing, but this one missed the mark for me.

I could not bring myself to care about Casie and Nick. They felt 2 dimensional. Like the part where he bought her Publix was sweet but other than that it felt forced and shallow. In my opinion Nick wasn’t a swoon worthy book boyfriend.

Elmer and Nan however were excellent characters. Their personalities shined through the pages. I even liked the friendship Cassie developed with Sarah watching trash TV, that was funny.

Overall, I had trouble sticking with this book. I came close to DNFing because it was just not holding my attention. And honestly, I found the last 3rd of it to be cringey. If the ending had been less obsessed with the patriarchy and more spooky I think it would have been better. And if Nick and Cassie had more personality.

If you like ghosts and don’t mind a slow burn, give it a shot.

Thanks NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was incredible! I had such an absolute blast reading this book! I could not put it down and I was head over. heels in love with our main characters. The concept was was truly so magical and I cannot wait to pick this book up again for October because it is definitely one of those feel good, Practical Magic, kinda vibes that you want to read during spooky season.

I loved that the romance was a sub plot and very much a slow burn, because the rest of the story and main plot were so interesting and magical that I fell more in love with it than I did the romance. Not to say the romance wasn't good, but the plot was so much more fascinating for me as a reader.

Loved this book so much! Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was almost a mix of a cozy mystery and a romance novel. There was no major mystery theme like you’d expect from a cozy but one did run through. A cute setting and a cute premise for a town but the characters just did not grab my heart in this one. I loved Jen’s ren faire novels.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for an early copy for an honest review. I think many will love this one but this one was just not for me.

This book was adorable. I've never wanted to live in a haunted house before, but I'm seriously considering it now... Nick and Cassie have such a fun chemistry. Definitely recommend this book and I'm so grateful to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for allowing me this ARC.

Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca was a very cute twist on the traditional rom-com. Admittedly I didn't realize exactly the depths of this supernatural journey, but I quickly found out and found it very enjoyable. There was not a lot of suspense in the romance area, but the characters solving a little mystery of their own in this haunted town was a fun addition to an otherwise familiar story. I have been a fan of Jen DeLuca's writing, particularly her descriptions of small towns, people, and unique happenings. I sympathized with both of the main characters and really connected. I'd be interested to see if this book turns into a mini series similar to Well Met, etc. Big thanks to NetGalley, Jen DeLuca and Berkley Publishing Group for allowing me early access to this one.

Haunted Ever After was fun read with a tad of spice at the very end! The premise of the story was intriguing and Cassie as FMC was great. I wish I could’ve seen more into Nick and Cassie’s relationship (since it took so long for it to be official) but overall a solid, fun read!

It's love at first haunting in a seaside town that raises everyone’s spirits in this new series from Jen DeLuca.

HAUNTED EVER AFTER is a like a spooky warm hug! I am loving this new "spooky romance" genre (I think I just got arcs for three others in a similar vein and I'm not mad.) Nick and Cassie were adorable together and I really, really hope that there will be more Boneyard Key books in the future!

Read if you like:
- cozy mysteries
- light spice
- small town romance
- a lovable cast of characters

Thank you to #netgalley for my #gifted #arc

3.75 rounded up- firstly, thank you to penguin random house & netgalley for the eArc in exchange for an honest review!

Cassie finds herself wanting a change & moves into a house in Boneyard Key- a “haunted” tourist destination for people who want a little scare. She thinks the gimmicks like the ghost themed businesses & ghost tour are silly & chalks it up to a good marketing scheme.

Working from home, she realizes her laptop won’t charge anywhere in the house. Thinking it’s bad wiring, she decides to head to a coffee shop to get work done & ends up meeting Nick- the owner of the coffee shop who knows the ghosts are real in town, as one of the founding family members, and also because Elmer, a ghost, is haunting his business (via text messages)

Cassie’s house may harbor a spirit of its own, & her and Nick grow closer as they get down to the bottom of the Hawkins House history in this spooky paranormal romance.

Chemistry wise between Cassie & Nick, it felt mainly physical to me for far too long in the book, & the random declarations of loving each-other just didn’t make much sense to me after waiting literally 85% of the book for them to finally be together. It was a slow burn but for dumb reasons in my opinion. I did enjoy the feminist aspect of the book though!

the haunted town aspect of this book along with the actual ghosts included in it was super unique and I really loved that part. You really got the small town feeling while reading it & also fell in love with these departed characters. I also enjoyed the twist near the end.

I'll be honest: I'm not someone who reads paranormal romance; witches and ghosts just aren't my cup of tea. But when I saw Jen DeLuca's name on the cover, I couldn't resist. Her "Well Met" series is one of my all-time favorites.
Cassie has recently moved from Orlando to the small town of Boneyard Key, the sort of place where tourists flock to buy T-shirts with ghosts on them, or take tours of the local haunted spots. But what Cassie didn't realize is that Boneyard Key really IS haunted, and her new, recently-renovated home is one of the spookiest sites of all. The mean ghost of a former resident has been scaring people for years, and doesn't seem to want Cassie around—her laptop is constantly running out of power, for instance, and even plugging it in doesn't help. The search for somewhere to work leads her to the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, owned by handsome Nick (who is very much alive) and haunted by its former proprietor (quite dead, but he's a friendly ghost).
Nick and Cassie are attracted to each other, but there are plenty of obstacles to overcome, including a ghost who really doesn't seem to want the two of them to get together, and Nick's fear that Cassie will understandably be wary of co-existing with spirits and hightail it back to Orlando.
The small-town setting is cute, Nick and Cassie are a delightful pair, and there are plenty of good supporting characters (some alive, others not). I don't know if I'm ever going to become a huge fan of paranormal novels, but I'll happily follow Jen DeLuca back to Boneyard Key.

I like the setting and the characters. The writing is easy to read and easy to follow. That said, 12% in, nothing has really happened, other than our MCs meeting, and we learned the house our main female lead bought is haunted. I didn’t find myself engaged. I’d think it’s 3-4 stars for the target audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

SO GOOD.

Jen Deluca is a must read author for me after reading the Well Met series. I was apprehensive going into this book because the description of this book was so different than that adorable small town series, but boy was I sucked into this book immediately.

Haunted Ever After is a gem! It follows main character Cassie after she moves from a big city to a small beach town in Florida. Prior to moving she was already feeling out of place in her friend group, but his move has only made the differences between her and her friends more obvious. Despite it all, she’s determined to make the best of her relocation even though it’s come with its challenges.

The town is hilariously quirky. Boneyard Key is known for being the most haunted town in America and all of its inhabitants are happy to lean into the spooky stories. It’s a far cry from the life Cassie left behind in Orlando, but nothing could beat the price of her newly renovated house. Cassie quickly realizes her new neighbors might not be making these ghost stories up when the magnets on her refrigerator decide to mysteriously rearrange themselves. Nothing like a vaguely threatening message from a ghost to keep you up at night.

And that’s where Nick comes in. He’s the owner of the local coffee shop, and Cassie’s new guide to everything paranormal. She’s so out of her depth, but he’s trying to convince her that Boneyard Key is worth living in. It was so much fun watching Cassie dive into the world of the undead. She’s determined to find out why her ghostly roommate is so unhappy with her, but this town has truly put her curiosity to the test.

Haunted Ever After is such a cute slow burn! It’s told in third person dual POV, so you get a look inside both characters brains. Especially the way they are both attracted to each other, but afraid to act on it. It was adorable and sweet and so very wholesome. I was unprepared for the amount of heart inside this ghost story. The book is filled with plenty of tension and cute tender moments, but the open door romance hits in the last few chapters.

I love that Jen Deluca wasn’t afraid to dive into something completely different than Well Met! This book is delightfully paranormal and filled with plenty of ghosts and hijinks. I think it would be perfect for someone new to the genre. I had so much fun reading, and cannot wait to see what’s next!

The biggest thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this eARC. Words cannot describe the joy I felt when this book hit my shelf.

Jen DeLuca returns with a twist! Stepping away from the Renaissance Fair realm, she now invites her readers on an exciting journey into the realm of paranormal romance, blending sweetness with sentimentality. As long as her trademark sarcastic humor and compelling characters remain, I'm all in!

Enter a haunted town in Florida, renowned for its ghost tours and eerie locales where tourists seek a thrill. Little do they know, the locals aren't merely cashing in on spooky tales – there might just be some genuine paranormal encounters waiting for them!

Our protagonist, Cassie Rutherford, finds herself at the heart of the story. A native of Orlando, she faces the upheaval of her life when her landlord decides to sell her apartment. With limited funds, she ventures into buying a house in a quaint Florida coastal town, unaware of its dark history. Leaving behind her city life, where friends are settling into domestic bliss, Cassie embraces the change.

But this new town lacks familiar comforts like Starbucks and Publix. However, that's the least of her worries. The historic Hawkins house she purchases might be haunted by the vengeful spirit of its previous owner's wife. Despite her skepticism, Cassie experiences strange occurrences, from malfunctioning plugs to eerie encounters. Seeking solace at the local coffee shop, she meets Nick, the brooding yet charming owner, who brews the perfect hazelnut ice latte and serves up delicious banana bread.

As their encounters grow, Nick reveals his connection to the town's spirits, adding another layer of mystery. When Cassie receives a paranormal message one night, she turns to Nick for assistance.

Now, Cassie must decide whether to flee the town and leave behind any chance of romance with Nick or embrace the unusual life in this ghostly community. Meanwhile, Nick fears losing another woman while trying not to scare Cassie away.

Will they find their happily-ever-after amidst the supernatural chaos? With its paranormal twist and captivating execution, this book is a delightful ride that I highly recommend!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this engaging book in exchange for my honest review.

DNF AT 50% I'm bored
I can't lie. The beginning was
fun and I loved the haunted ghost beach town aspect and as a Floridian i thought the Florida quotes were super relatable and cute but the characters are sooooo boring and I found the romance very shallow and lacking. I hate to say it because this was a arc so gracefully given to me by NetGalley

I absolutely adored this spooky rom com! It had me hooked from the first chapter. I loved the whole concept of the little bit spooky and the romance that was in this book. It has all the small town vibes.