I enjoyed this story, to a point. I liked the mystery and the different things happening in both the lives of Cain and Jenny. It was a good easy read. Not a lot of uber scary stuff, but enough to keep the book interesting. I could probably leave the review as just this...but...there were a few things that were just off putting for me.

What was the need to reference Cleo's weight? Not just one, but every time she was in a scene. Jenny hoping the chair would hold Cleo's weight. The way Cleo walked. There were other descriptions of weight in some of the other characters, the person who was a bit overweight but was 'working on it'. Those just bothered me. The book would have been just as good without those descriptions. What the heck was the point of having sex without a condom AND without Jenny's consent? Another ick moment for me. I understand the heat of the moment, but then almost bragging about Cain knowing Jenny was on the pill and he was 'clean'? What an invasion of privacy!

Having read books by Ms. Martin for years, I do enjoy her writing and her books. Unfortunately, this one wasn't one of my favorites.

Haunted
Kat Martin
September 24, 2024

In long ago Jerome, Arizona, the mine fields brought many men to work the underground. In addition, we find women arriving to entertain the men in the hotels and saloons that cropped up in the area. The years continued but violence and strange events plagued Jerome. In present day, Jenny Spencer is now owner of the Copper Star, the inn and bar room she inherited from her uncle. There were still problems on the busy days and nights but for the most part trouble began after the rebuilding on the second floor. Guests would write in the book of comments about the noises, voices and bizarre things that sometimes happened in certain rooms.
Haunted will be published by Kensington Books on September 24, 2024. I was able to read Kat Martin’s latest novel via NetGalley.
This excellent ghost story wove in and out of Jenny’s relationship with Cain Barrett. He is a millionaire who went to school with Jenny, Although they had not seen each other in years. He was in the process of rebuilding the other antique hotel, The Grandview. Their friendship grew and as ever, things began to happen in the Copper Star. This story is enjoyable yet full of suspense. Another great read from Martin. Do enjoy!

This book had way too much romance in it and it was too much about sex. That took away from the book for me, it was not enjoyable. There was lack of attention to the plot

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

A romantic thriller with ghosts- or are they? Jenny and Cain find themselves trying to solve the mystery of the haunting of her hotel and saloon- and in an unexpected and spicy relationship. Thanks to Netgalley for the arc. Good atmospherics and a dynamic pair made this fast read entertaining.

I thought this was a ghost story about a haunted hotel and it was exactly that in the beginning, but then it turned into a plethora of sex that over took the main focus of the book. If I had known that this was more of a romance book than a thriller, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up.

In the beginning we get a glimpse into the Wild West in 1898 inside the Copper Star saloon in Jerome, Arizona. Then we’re brought to present day inside the same Copper Star, even though it burned down several times over the years, it was rebuilt and had become one of the most famous hotels in the area. I wish this book continued with the dual timelines to give more history into the town, what happened to the people and the ghosts that haunt it, but its main focus was a romance between the main characters.

There were two main focus points in the book that kept me intrigued, as these mysteries were built up through the first half they sort of burned out near the end which left the twists quick and mundane.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction meets mystery novel. The novel follows Jenny, owner of Copper Star Saloon and Hotel and Cain, owner of Grandview Hotel. There is a mysterious murder, mysterious issues at both establishments and new ghost siting at Copper Star Hotel. Who is behind the sabotage? Cain and Jenny pair up to uncover the truth and the sparks immediately begin to fly.

Thank you Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.

Good mystery and suspense. Is the place haunted or is there someone playing tricks? Jenny has lots of stuff going on in the hotel. People leave and say they won't ever come back because of the noises they heard during the night. Some even saw a ghost going down the hall. When a murder happens in room 10, Jenny knows she has to do something. It mirrors an incident that happened years before. Caine wants Jenny to help out at his hotel. He also is very interested in her. As they work together, Caine realizes that Jenny is the one woman that he would like to be with forever. Will she feel the same way. But first, he has to protect her because someone is after him. Someone shot him and then later, someone shot Jenny's bodyguard and kidnapped her. He has to figure out fast who is targeting him and why. Just when they think things are settled, Jenny's hotel catches fire. Was it arson? Who is behind all this?

Jenny Spencer knows that there is something going on at the hotel but she doesn’t believe that it is ghosts. But she needs to figure it out before she losing anymore visitors. So when Cain Barrett the owner of the Grandview Hotel offers her a job helping to finish his hotel. She agrees but can she fight the past? Cain has always had a soft spot for Jenny since high school but he let her down. Will she be willing to forgive him for standing her up all those years ago? Jenny knows that they have crossed the line of just working together & now someone is out to make them pay. But who wants them dead? Will they be able to find the person before it is too late? Will they be able to find what they have been missing for all these years? A good read. Interesting characters & town. Jenny is a strong independent woman that wants to do whatever is needed to keep her uncle’s legacy alive. But she has been hurt badly before & is wary of getting too involved with Cain. Cain thinks he knows what he wants he has built himself a successful company and become a fair respectful man. But can he move forward from the past for good? Will he break down the walls that Jenny has around her heart?

Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the copy. This is my voluntary review.

I loved this book so much! The only thing I didn’t get was why it was marked as a horror book. It really isn’t a horror. It is a romance thriller novel. Most of the story is developing a relation between the MFC and the MMC. Yes there was som spooky stuff happening through out but in my opinion it was mainly a romance. I did really like the duel mysteries that were taking place. One personally for the MMC and the one for the MFC as well. I loved the character development as the story progressed and I loved the world that was created this was an amazing read!

I've always enjoyed Kat Martin's book with the Blood Ties series being a favorite. With that said, for me, the Blood Ties series represents the gold standard (or the 5 star standard.) This book is a solid 4 to maybe 4.2 because I did enjoy it mostly but a few things did not ring true to me.
Let's start with what I liked. The paranormal aspect with ties to the "haunted past" was a nice addition to the book and added a bit of a twist that stayed strong throughout the pages. We had multiple villains along the way and some were obvious and others unexpected. The side romance was very sweet and led to a truly heroic moment. I think I liked the side romance a bit more.
Jenny can be a great strong willed character but sometimes she acts so silly. If something big happens at the business you own then sure you should bail on your employees and go off with the hot guy. He was a skosh overbearing. There is a different between a strong man and a bossy man and he leaned a little too far to bossy.
The romance burned hot from almost the start but the physical side took center stage first and the love came later. Speaking of first, we had more romance and character development before the mystery really ramped up. The mystery is pretty good with multiple twists and multiple horrible people running around. The story of what happened to the poor horse was sad and horrible. The horse was not responsible for what our villain felt was a slight but he suffered. It added some emotional resonance to the story.
As a quick aside, Cleo was a good quirky character and Nell was a fabulous addition to the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

As a huge fan of Romantic Suspense, I was delighted to read this meaty and expertly plotted book.

I love 3rd person POV and it's becoming less and less popular so I was delighted to read it here.

This really read in a lot of ways like an early 2000s book, and that will make it the best thing ever or very out of place for others.

I received an advance reader's copy of Haunted by Kat Martin from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I quite enjoyed the book and it made a tedious morning at the airport fly by while I read. There was action, intrigue, and chemistry. The characters were fairly well-crafted, the pace of the novel was mostly steady, and there were some surprises. Definitely worth reading.

A mix of ghostly encounters that makes you curious & emotions that make people do crazy things. Cain & Jenny have combustible chemistry that sizzles. Suspenseful story that has many things coming at the characters while they battle a heavy dose of lust that turns into more. Alot of history learnt. An enjoyable read. Honest review

Jenny Spencer's Copper Star Saloon and Hotel in Jerome, Arizona, is reputed to be haunted, much like the entire town, which was once a notorious mining town. Cain Barrett, the affluent proprietor of the nearby Grandview Hotel, frequents the Copper Star Saloon during his hotel's renovation.
Remembering Jenny from high school, he's keen on initiating a romantic pursuit. Meanwhile, Jenny has reopened a section of her hotel previously shut down by her uncle. With the occurrence of bizarre events and a murder in room 10, the situation seems to spiral. Determined, Jenny delves into the hotel's ancient journals for clues and enlists Cleo, a friend of Cain's grandmother, to exorcise the ghost. As Cain and Jenny grow closer, trust becomes pivotal if they are to elevate their relationship.

Another great book by Kat Martin. This one has a ghost of the past interfering with characters of the present. Likable primary and secondary characters.

I could not put this story by Kat Martin down. From beginning to end the ghost story will pull readers in wondering if its true what they say about Jerome Arizona or is someone trying to boost tourism. The characters are likeable, and readers are able to connect with them right away. The story is fast paced, and the romance is well blended into the story.
I have been disappointed with a few of Kat Martins stories, but this one is perfectly Kat Martin.
This is the perfect relax by the pool read for your summertime reading.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of Haunted by Kat Martin.

This was my first romance thriller and it did not disappoint! Fast paced and I couldn't put it down! I read it in 2 days! Going to go look at Martin's backlist now!

Haunted is a modern day western love story with plenty of hauntings to boot. Jerome Arizona, an old mining town, has many stories of ghosts from the past when mining was at its worst for those who survived, or not. In modern day Jerome, Jenny Spencer, heir to her uncle’s Copper Star Saloon and Hotel, is watching the costs that the opening of a previously closed section of the hotel incurred. There are strange events in the newly opened section, sounds and ghostly images and a death causing a lot of concern. Cain Barrett, wealthy owner of the Grandview Hotel, asks for her advice on his upcoming grand opening. It’s a great opportunity for Jenny to add additional support funds for her business. Of course they are also both quite drawn to each other. Haunted with mystery, romance, suspense, ghosts, interesting plot, great characters, along with Jerome Arizona history makes for a very enjoyable Kat Martin read. Thank you Kensington and NetGalley for the ARC..

5 ghostly stars ★

Living her entire life in a town that’s been named the “Wickedest town of the west” has taught Jenny Spencer that bad things happen and ghost sightings are a common event in Jerome. She’s determined to succeed as the sole owner of the Copper Star Saloon and Hotel, however, when murder happens in the new wing of the hotel and strange noises start to be reported by guests of said wing, she knows she has to do something or her hard work will be for nothing. Here enters Cain Barrett, owner of the Grandview hotel, which is under restoration, he’s been watching and wanting Jenny for a long time, seeing her in trouble is the wake up call he needs to step up and try to help her solve what's happening at the Copper Star.

With ghost sightings, chains been rattled in the hallway, and a piano (that isn’t there) playing in the middle of the night, Jenny and Cain must face the fact that ghost are real and the Copper Star is truly Haunted, the bonus being the murder in room 10, which turns out it is not the first time this place has seen violence. Robbery, shootings and rowdy customers are only the tip of the iceberg in their quest to find the truth about the events at the Copper Star and who or what is behind everything trying to put Jenny out of business.

Mrs Martin has outdone herself once more: with each description of the supernatural events, she manages to make goosebumps appear on the reader's skin as well as create the necessity to keep reading until the very end. There’s not a dull moment in the story: there’s always a new development that intertwines the plot, putting our heroine and hero in danger and showing them that, in order to solve what’s actually happening, they’ll have to trust each other and keep each other safe. The road won’t be easy, however, the reward may be worth it.

***Disclaimer: I’ve applied and received this book as an ARC via NetGalley and this is my honest review***

I love a ghost story. Kat Martin really made it come to life. Pun intended. Cain is a very strong man and Jenny is very happy about that in more than one way. It was fun to read about what was real and what was not.