I was really eager to see what Jen would write after her Renaissance Faire series, and this didn’t disappoint. It’s a completely different setting and tone, but it has Jen’s signature humor and great character crafting!

I was sucked right into this story, and I absolutely loved how the paranormal elements played out. This book was fun and there was a great mystery element as well!

I am really hoping for more books in this series, and I’d love to return and meet more of the town’s living - and ghostly - residents!

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the eARC! All thoughts are my own.

Title: Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca
Publication Date- 08/13/24
Publisher- Berkley Publishing
Overall Rating- 3 out of 5 stars

Review copy given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Haunted Ever After is a cozy paranormal romance. I found the the atmosphere and setting to be the most impressive part of the story. There were times where I was reading that I just felt cozy envisioning the setting. I also enjoyed the paranormal aspect with the ghosts and hauntings.

That being said, unfortunately that didn’t feel like enough for me. I did like both main characters and for a large part of the book they felt very one dimensional and not fully flushed out. I wanted a little more character and emotion behind the story. However, if you are looking for something really cozy, light hearted and atmospheric, this will hit the spot. It’s not overall smutty and can feel a little instalovey at times.

All in all this is a good book for spooky season, if you want to cozy up and just enjoy a light read.

I enjoyed the Well Met series at the ren faire. I really want to go this year. So of course I’m going to read a book by her about a haunted town.
This is just the cutest. These are the kind of ghosts that I’m ok with the ones that seem like they were so essential to the place they worked and owned that even their death can’t erase them. But only a few people are able to successfully communicate with them and in such unique ways.
There was a surly cafe owner and a woman who just moved to this small town in Florida. They slowly got to know each other and started to fall for each other. Enjoyed their progression as well. They were both so alone and a little out of practice dating and it was sweet.
All of the ghosts were pleasant and friendly except one but they were just angry. Loved the history of the town and the 15 who founded it with their gifts.

Thank you berkley romance for the gifted copies.

After Cassie's landlord informs her he's selling the house she rents, Cassie decides a change of scenery is in order. Unable to afford the housing prices in Orlando, Cassie finds a lovely, newly renovated home for a steal in Boneyard Key, FL. It's a small community that uses it's ghostly theme to full effect especially during tourist season. However, Cassie is in for a shocking surprise when it turns out the ghosts are real.

Nick is descended from the original fifteen families that settled in Boneyard Key. So Nick has a certain affinity for those of the past that choose to remain. Case in point, Nick runs Haunted Grounds one of two coffee shops in town, and is known to still take texts from the former owner of the shop who died nearly twenty years ago. It's all part and parcel for those that grew up here but to an outsider like Cassie it can be quite the shock. Especially, as it turns out, Cassie is living in the Hawkins House. No one has set foot in that house in decades and certainly not when mean Mrs. Hawkins was in residence. Turns out she might still be in residence today and Cassie will need Nick's help to unravel the mystery of Hawkins House.

This book sets the perfect mood of the spooky fall season that we're getting precariously close to in the real world. Despite it being set in the Spring and early Summer months, I still loved the ambiance.

I was also pleasantly surprised by and happy with the way that it really did give me a chill a few times without going over to being too scary and also offered a nice mystery to solve along the way. I really thought that Jen DeLuca did a great job of balancing everything between the scares, the mystery, the romance it all worked so well together all while creating this quirky fictional town that truly makes me wish I could visit.

Cassie and Nick were great together. I liked the initial moment of antagonism between them and I wish that had been played up more before they essentially fall for one another, but I'm not mad about it. They're also, for me, not the main thing I was invested with in the story. That honor goes to solving the mystery of Sarah Hawkins. I love when history comes back to have an impact on the present. I love digging up the information and putting the pieces together about why it's happening which Sarah's story highlights perfectly.

I'll also say that there are a lot of wonderful secondary characters all with some pretty enticing setups happening. I'm hoping the plan is for more books set in Boneyard Key.

Overall, this book is the perfect pick if you're ready to slowly start transitioning into the Fall season. Just spooky enough without the big scares.

i had so much fun reading this and it honestly made me want to go to florida and meet a ghost at the beach or something. while i figured out the ghostly mystery early on, it was fun to watch it all come together and see the characters react as they learned more and more. also loved the two main characters and how their relationship motivations were so similar but presented so differently because of their pasts.
overall, i definitely recommend and highly enjoyed! would love to see more books set in this town!

Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca is book one of the Boneyard Key series. I need to start of by saying I do not like anything spooky and while this book had some of the ghostly qualities, I absolutely adore it! This was the perfect amount of friendly spooky with amazing main characters in Cassie and Nick. The supporting characters were also fantastic and I can't wait to see if they get their own book since this is a series. I'm so excited for this series to continue and will highly recommend this read!

Real Rating 3.5

I had no idea where this book was going to go, but once I got started I realized it was what I wanted all along lol It had some issues, but it turned out really good and I was excited for that.

Ok so the biggest part of this that I liked was the paranormal ghostie aspect of it. I LOVED it. I was expecting it to take the background to the romance, but it didn’t. DeLuca has a way of creating worlds that make you feel fully immersed into it, and this was no different. First it was the Renaissance Faire and now it’s a small town riddled with ghosts. And I just thought that was the coolest thing. Coming from a coastal town that has a lot of ghosts stories too, this one really felt like home.

I didn’t care for the characters tho. Cassie and Nick were hella basic. Maybe it was me and my beef for the narrator tho, so let me know if you read the book book and think different. But the narrator was terrible. She made everything sound breathy and when it got to them getting busy she didn’t sound like that. So basically when she should have used that sound, she didn’t. Anyway, Cassie was the classic non-believer who just arrived and Nick was the one that lived there the whole time and knows what’s happening. Their romance was ok, but I just thought it was basic too. But when things started happening between them and they had the ghosts interfering in their relationship, that was the part I enjoyed the most.

I loved that the spooky parts were the forefront in this one tho. It was actually a pretty great story. I thought her using the fridge words before the ghosts made itself known was a bit much, but there may be people out there that actually do that lol I’ve only seen letters, but eh. The rest of it was really good. I was hooked trying to figure out what the “real” story was. I just needed to know what actually happened. Things continue to get worse, and at one point it got really creepy. Creepier than I expected for this to be a romance book. I was worried about Nick for a while, but I was glad to see that everyone pulled through.

The spooky bits in this and the town characters sold this book for me. I wasn’t too keen on the romance, but the fact that it wasn’t at the forefront of this really made it for me. Yeah they flirt throughout the story, but my main focus was the ghosts and I loved that they were such a big part of the story.

DeLuca's romance, with paranormal elements, tries to make a feminist point and still be a woo-woo ghost story. As an attempt, it is well-conceived and -executed. It is not, however, much of a romance: the trappings of writing in this new "paranormal" romance trend doesn't allow the author narrative room to develop the romance and so I didn't get a good sense of why this couple wanted, or needed to be together. There just wasn't enough on-page relationship development.

this book was such a fun read! we get steamy romance with a splash of cozy occult adventures. yes, it's the perfect fall read because spooky, but it can be enjoyed year round. i like how relatively seamless cassie and nick's love story is - they fall together so perfectly. most of their conflict is influenced by external forces, which i appreciate. thank goodness for no third act breakup! i am obsessed with the cast of characters in this story! who knew ghosts could have such a sense of humor?? sorry, nick and cassie, but elmer and sarah have my heart. also the friends cassie makes as she settles into her new life. SO wholesome - it's great to see people who care so much about her. boneyard key is the type of place you want to step into and stay awhile. this book is like the warmest hug.

Haunted Ever After is for those who want a healthy dollop of beachy Summerween vibe with their romance.

One thing that I really appreciate about this romance is how tonally unscary it makes the ghosts. Even when the protagonist is spooked, there is nothing overtly horrific, keeping that tone light and fun.

I think the ghostly aspect of the romance is well integrated and meaningful.

A cute and heartwarming small town romance with a little ghost flair is just what people will need as the fall months start to roll in! I've always been a fan of Jen DeLuca's books and her writing — Haunted Ever After is no different. The characters pull you in and I really loved the magical realism that was included in this book with the ghosts! It's so different from her Well Met series but it was a fun read that I can't wait to recommend to my friends.

I was so excited for a new series from this author. Sadly, this first book didn't work so well for me. I feel as if the setup of the ghost town took over more of the story, and the development of the couple suffered for it. There are future couples hinted at, and I am definitely excited for their stories. This one just didn't land for me. I trust the author, and I'm not saying this book is bad by any means. It just didn't land for me personally.

How do you feel about a ghostly roommate that won't stop trying to communicate with you? Should it have been disclosed before you bought your dream home on the beach that it was haunted? These are some of the questions our female main character, Cassie, is trying to work through. If you are looking for a sweet romance with loads of humor and whimsey, then you need to grab this book now. Great characters that are heartwarming and relatable with real issues draw you in and make you root for them while you also root for most of the ghosts! The plot is original and fun while also being compelling and entertaining. I absolutely fell in love with the town of Boneyard Key and all the residents, human and ghostly! For those who like a light spice story, this should do it for you. I absolutely can't wait to read the next book in the series to see who our main characters will be and what new ghosts we will meet!!

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley and the Berkley Besties program, all opinions are my own.

This was adorable and if I could visit Boneyard Key as a tourist I would! I love Halloween and all things spooky, so this sounds like my kind of town.

This follows Cassie, an Orlando native, who recently moved to the small town of Boneyard Key, where tourists flock to visit for the towns local haunts pun intended. Nick runs the local coffee shop, and he happens to have a very special roommate, Elmer is the original owner of Hallowed Grounds and loves to tell Nick what to do. Cassie and Nick don't get off to the best start, but her frequent trips to the coffee shop quickly turn things around as they get to know each other. Her laptop won't charge and it is a critical part of her work from home job, especially now that she has a mortgage. Everything checks out with her electricity, and her laptop charges fine at the coffee shop or when someone else plugs it in at home, so she turns to the paranormal experts in the Key to see if there is something else wrong in her house. Turns out Cassie has an unexpected roommate too. Her house is famous around Boneyard Key, but it turns out the stories aren't exactly true, Cassie is determined to find out the truth about the Hawkins House and learn more about her spectral roomie.

This was such a fun book as we learn about the history of the town and Cassie and Nick get to know each other. I really like the way the author had both of them communicate with their ghosts, it was really creative and something I don't think I've seen before. Nick and Cassie take their time getting to know one another, and it seems like every time they take a step forward in their relationship something gets in the way and sends them two steps backward. I actually appreciated this, because while you knew there was going to be a romantic element between them it didn't take center stage and they actually got to know each other a bit first and got to have some serious conversations before making big declarations. I love a slow burn romance when done well and I really enjoyed this one! This is low on the spice scale.

I don't believe I've read anything else by the author in the past, but I am certainly in if there are more books in the series and I'll be checking out more books. Overall I loved this small town romance with a paranormal twist. It was really unique and I really enjoyed the creativity the author brought to the table with the plot and the characters.

Well that was the perfect level of spooky for a gal who doesn't do spooky. I loved the setting of Boneyard Key, as a life long Floridian who has always lived in big cities, those small beach towns along the gulf coast (the better coast) are so fascinating. I appreciated the creative forms of communication and how not all the ghosts were "bad" ghosts.

A great use of our side characters, hoping some of their stories are next! Thank you Berkley for the opportunity!

This was cute!!!!! I loved the small town vibes! This will definitely get you in the mood for fall and all things spooky!

This is my first book by this author and I LOVED it and I can not wait for the next in the series! This is also my first paranormal Rom-com and I am definitely on the hunt for more!
I liked the small town Florida setting, since I am from Florida and have family that still lives there, and was one of the reasons why I chose this book along with the haunted houses and ghost vibe that makes it the perfect book to start off the fall/spooky season with! The names of the stores/businesses was really cute and well thought of.
I enjoyed the characters and roommates/ghosts and how they all work together and help Cassie come to terms with the ghosts, the history of her house, and how they accepted her and made her one of them by showing and telling her their local secrets. The whole communication aspect from the ghosts was so fun, because you never knew what Nick's roommate was going to say and with the communication barrier of Cassie's roommate, it created a mystery feeling. I also enjoyed the banter between Cassie and Nick and how the chemistry develops with them.
The ending was a SHOCKER and it wrapped the book up very well.
Over all, I just loved this book! Like I said, I really can not wait for the next in the series! Thank you NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and Jen DeLuca for the advanced copy.

Nick Royer owns the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop in Boneyard Key, Florida. He has lived there his whole life. In fact, he is a descendant of the founding families so learning to embrace ghost tourism is a must. Cassie just moved into a house and she definitely is not prepared for the fact that not all the ghost stories in the town are made up. The electricity in her new house is temperamental and the magnets on her fridge rearrange themselves when she is not looking.

As Nick and Cassie get to know each other, Nick wonders if Cassie will stay in Boneyard Key, even if her house has a ghost.

I love the unique storyline and the loveable characters in this book. The story flowed nicely without needless plot twists. Other than a few spicy romance scenes, this is a sweet ghost romance book.

✩ 3.25 stars ✩

“Give me all the strings. All the pressure. I want it all with you, Cassie.”

What to Expect:
➼ Grumpy x Sunshine
➼ Small Town Romance
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ A Haunted House
➼ A Town Full of Ghosts
➼ Coffee Shop Owner MMC with Luke Danes Vibes
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Infertility Rep
➼ She’s New to Town
➼ Third Person POV

This started out a little slow, but the cozy vibes won out in the end. Nick reminded me so much of Luke Danes (always a great comparison!) and the town was basically a spooky Stars Hollow.

Cassie struggled with infertility and knew from a young age that she likely would not be able to have children of her own. In her 20s, this knowledge didn’t weigh on her as heavily, but as each of friend’s became mothers, she struggled to find her place among them. She was in desperate need of a change when she found the listing for the house and was shocked when her offer was accepted. After moving in she learns not only that ghosts are real, but that her own house is haunted.

As mysteries go, this one was blindingly obvious. I figured it out immediately and waited impatiently for the characters to catch up. I liked the ghosts but I think they could have had a little more personality. I was a little surprised that Cassie and the other townspeople weren’t more motivated to communicate with the ghosts in general. If I were them… well honestly if I were them I would move, 😅 but if I were them and I wasn’t creeped out by the ghosts, I would have made my rounds with those magnet words and made attempts to communicate with all of the ghosts. Beyond just basic curiosity, I feel bad that they aren’t able to talk to anyone. I also don’t really understand why most of them are hanging around, but it seems like they must have a reason, right? I’m surprised that the living don’t feel that they have a responsibility to help the dead find closure. Hopefully Sophie & Theo will do some more sleuthing in the next book. I feel pretty confident that it will be about them.

I honestly think I might have overhyped this one for myself but once the book got going and I got to know the characters a bit, I did enjoy it in the end. This is a great romance to pick up if you’re looking for a cozy read this fall!

This is completely irrelevant, but I have to say that I got pretty hung up on the author writing out the words “Publix subs” instead of writing “pub subs.” “Publix subs” just sounds so wrong. 😂😂

P.s. If this isn’t Luke Danes coded, I don’t know what is…😆

“Oh. It’s you.” “Thanks a lot. It’s that stellar customer service that keeps me coming back.” But she frowned as she looked around the café. Nick followed her gaze, then he frowned too. Coming out from behind the counter, he stalked to the back table. The one near the outlet. The one that was currently occupied. Theo had been there for almost an hour, nursing that same cup of coffee and reading. “Don’t you have a book store to run?” Theo turned a page, unconcerned, as he shook his head. “I open at noon on Fridays.” “It’s close enough to noon. And that’s her table.” Nick snatched the mostly empty coffee mug. “Let me warm this up for you. In a to-go cup.” Behind him, he heard the thud of Theo snapping his book closed before he followed Nick to the counter. “What the hell?” “Don’t want you to be late.” Nick filled a to-go cup with fresh coffee and pushed it across the counter. Theo took the coffee with a quizzical expression. “Thanks?” “Just looking out for you man.”

Thank you to Jen DeLuca, Net Galley, and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 🤍

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Pre-read: The Council of Spooky Bitches has spoken and deemed me worthy of the ARC! 🙌🏻 I manifested this one friends! Let’s go ghouls!!

Ooh yes, please! This is my vibe. 👻🧡

REVIEW: Haunted Ever After

Imagine you are moving to a new small town known for its ghosts. There’s no way ghosts are real, and they are hamming it up for tourists, right? But what if these ghosts were, in fact, real?

Haunted Ever After is such a fun read! It is part mystery, part romance, and part paranormal. The plot is never scary but does have some fun, spooky elements. The overall story was exciting, but the climax was everything. The story takes place in a small town called Boneyard Key in Florida. The town has so much history, and tourists flock there to hear about all the ghost stories. I loved hearing all the different backstories of the town. They were fascinating and almost made the setting feel like another character.

Nick works at the local coffee shop, and Cassie, who just moved into one of the “haunted” houses, is a publisher. They develop a charming and spicy romance, and the two of them balance each other out. It gives me some grumpy and sunshine vibes. They both have a journey of self-discovery throughout the story that helps develop the characters. I not only the two main characters but also the supporting ones.

I only wish there was a little more romance built up in the story instead of insta-love right away.

Overall, I really enjoyed Haunted Ever After. It has a unique storyline, and the setting is so much fun. It is perfect for a fun, spooky read.

Thank you, Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

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