The Keeper of Lonely Spirits is the perfect example of a unique and sympathetic protagonist who surrounds himself with supporting characters so roundly and wonderfully written that you could read a book from the perspective of any of them. Throw in a skill for communicating with plants and ghosts, and a mystery that keeps you at the edge of your seat, and this is one of my favorite reads of the year so far.

The Keeper of Lonely Spirits by E.M. Anderson is a new cozy fantasy about story centered around a lonely immortal ghost hunter who spends his days helping ghosts cross over. Things change, however, when he discovers that there are people who could actually care about him in this world, and he must grapple with everything that comes with these new circumstances. I found this to be such an unexpectedly emotional and touching story! Based on the premise, I expected it to be a bit warm and cozy, but it was much more than that and really tackled some tough topics in really effective and compelling ways. E.M Anderson is clearly a thoughtful writer and I appreciated how she crafted the character of Peter and showed him navigating everything that occurs in this story. The world-building and setting weren't quite as detailed or expansive as I might've hoped, but I also didn't really expect that from this story and it's not entirely what this book is about, so overall I think it all worked well together. A recommended read for anyone looking for something a bit quieter and slower, but that still packs a punch.

What an absolutely beautiful and emotional story dealing with grief, friendship, love, and finding yourself. I felt connected to the characters and almost didn’t want the book to end because I didn’t want to say goodbye. The author writes beautifully and is descriptive enough to pull you in without being too wordy. This book is a treasure and will be a great book club pick!

Thanks for the opportunity to read!

It's so weird that the ad copy characterizes this as "cozy," which is a word I associate with relatively low stakes and cheaply bought heartwarming, not with a novel about the tragic consequences of a careless moment of young love and desire, but -- Ad copy writers, you do you, I guess.

Apart from that choice of adjective, the ad copy does a good job of scene-setting: Peter Shaughnessy offends one of "them folk," a seriously un-glamorized, un-prettified version of the fae, so this being curses him with exile from his Irish home and -- as he learns when he doesn't age along with his first lover, and then continues, despite his best efforts, not to die -- immortality. He passes the time by quieting unhappy or angry ghosts; also, he can communicate with plants. Lest he form attachments and be heartbroken again when he outlives them, he bails out of anyplace he's been living as soon as he sets some poor dead person free.

But then he fetches up in Harrington, Ohio, a smallish town that presents two dangers: one, a ghost so angry that it threatens to destroy the whole place; two, a group of people who draw him into their hearts and whom he, in turn, cannot help but love. He can preserve his emotional isolation, but only at the cost of leaving them in possibly mortal peril.

It says a lot for Anderson's gifts of characterization that a verbal sketch of the people whom Peter comes to care for would make them sound like stick figures, but that in reading the book they came fully alive for me -- in particular, of course, the people (and one loving ghost) who are closest to him. All of them are dealing with grief in one form or another: Neveah with the death of her beloved father; the children Sayid and Samira with the imminent death of their grandfather and with the strains on their family caused by long work hours and by their parents' own griefs; David with the death of his husband. Their stories end not so much with resolution as with movement toward some condition better than the one they started in. That is to say, don't expect a picture-perfect happy ending, with everybody's pain tied up with a magical bow and made to vanish. Peter's many griefs will also remain: he wasn't solely at fault for what happened to his family, but his impulsiveness and momentary carelessness set in motion the events that cost them dearly.

Look, this book isn't flawless. A worldbuilding problem: how does Peter get money, when he doesn't appear to have a legal existence or to be officially employed anywhere, even under the table? Factual problems, specifically medical ones (do not go to urgent care with a broken leg, please -- just go straight to the ER; palliative care /= hospice care, and a person on hospice would not be living in a hospital; in the final confrontation with the angry ghost, Peter (view spoiler)). Sayid's two best friends appear early on, then are barely mentioned again. And although Anderson's writing is in general beautiful, evocative, and insightful, they also overrely on the words "ruffled," "stuttered," and "pricked," to the point where by the end of the book I winced every time they appeared.

I mention all those things because, paradoxically, they're evidence for how deeply this book engaged me and how much I loved it: normally I'd be banging out furious words about authorial carelessness etc., but "The Keeper of Lonely Spirits" did the important work so well that all was forgiven. Harlequin Trade/Mira, however, should provide its authors with stronger editorial support: All the problems I mention could have been resolved with a few tweaks at the line editing and copyediting levels.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book is a lot of things at once - melancholic, cozy, romantic, sweet, slightly spooky and heartwarming. It's about ghosts, found family and grief, and somehow balances this all really well. It follows Peter, a man who is cursed with immortality and the ability to see ghosts. He spends his time finding angry spirits and assuring they move on, causing no harm. He ends up in a small town in Ohio, meeting all its lovable, quirky residents and helping them through their own personal grief. It's very heavy at times, full of loss and straight up death, but it is also full of love. Peter finds his own little found family, and they show him what it truly means to be loved. The actual plot involving the angry ghost falls to the wayside, but in the end, it wrapped up in a super satisfying way. I think it would be a great fall read, and would be great for book club discussions, because the characters give someone everyone to connect with.

This is the kind of book that eases people into fantasy and paranormal genres. Its super cozy and is more about the characters than anything else. I think people who stick mainly to realistic stories would connect with this.

pleasantly surprised by this one. sometimes corny but never trite, and with a core of fierce tenderness i found very moving. it starts a bit too slow, and could have done with another round of tightening both pace and writing, but i don't think it's anything that truly takes away from a lovely story. it's original in very quiet ways, with a nice balance of popular lore and new angles on it. loved the characters, phenomenal children and endearing cast. a nice surprise overall!

Loved this! A ghost hunter with a tragic past immediately caught my attention. Add in a romance with a seemingly-impossible outcome, so much queerness, and a lovable ensemble cast, and you’ve got The Keeper of Lonely Spirits. I love the quirkiness of this novel, as well as the moving messages that abound. I really think that EM Anderson should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind when it comes to queer normative, quirky, cute stories that feel different from everything else that’s being published. So good!

A man is cursed to never return to his native Ireland, 200 years have past and in his exile, gains the ability to communicate with ghosts and plants. A reaper of sorts, he helps others ghosts pass to the other side.

Ending up in Harrington, a town like any other, he will find the ghost rumoured to be haunting the town to help him move on. However, this town's magic lies within its ability to end up feeling more and more like home.

A sweet novel that makes you fall in love. A little obvious in the end but sweet and relatable characters that Anderson is sure to be known for in the years they will continue to write lovable novels.

Cozy mystery, found family, and a little heart string pull.

I found The Keeper of Lonely Spirits to be a really thoughtful story about grief, loss, and finding our place in this world. It was phenomenally well written.

The Keeper of Lonely Spirits is about Peter, an immortal ghost hunter who’s been alone for centuries, helping spirits move on while avoiding his own baggage. When he ends up in a small Ohio town, things start to shift—hauntings, new friendships, maybe even healing.

It’s a quiet, emotional read with a lot of heart and some lovely writing. That said, it moves really slowly. I liked the vibes, but it never fully pulled me in. Not bad at all—just not a book I couldn’t put down.

While this book did pull me in quite quickly, there were a couple moments that pushed me back out. Overall, I did enjoy reading it, and the mystery was solid, but I found that sometimes Peter's dialogue was a bit much in terms of "being Irish" though he's lived for a couple hundred years. The kids were great, and the community itself was incredibly supportive, a very cute small-town trait. I don't think I need to read this one again, but it wasn't a bad read.

Read if you like: diverse rep, mystical realism, fantasy, heavy themes, coping with grief

Usually I finish a book and immediately grab another one. Not the case after finishing this; I was left with so many emotions and feelings that needed to be processed. Ever wondered if a book can feel cozy while also dealing with some intense feelings of grief, finding yourself, acceptance, and loss? Wonder no more, because here it is!
Every character in this story is so well developed, even the minor side characters, and there's someone that I think any reader can relate to and identify with.
The way that loss, mortality, immortality, and grief were explored and handled were so realistic no matter what way the character handled it, and there were different types represented.
This review may be rambling, but the book is still settling in me and processing is still happening. It's one that's going to stick around for awhile.

I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA; all opinions expressed are exclusively my own.

This book is the sort of book that shares grief with you alongside a cup of your favorite comforting beverage and the most comfortable blanket in the world. It is simultaneously sad and hopeful, grieving and lighthearted. If you like your cozy fantasies to have a touch of danger, humor, and romance, definitely give this one a read!

For sensitive readers, this book contains depictions of violence, grief, trauma, neglect, child endangerment and loss of autonomy/possession.

I was fascinated since the beginning. It made me think about one my fav series, The Krewe of Hunter, but then it turned into a story that mixes romance/cozy fantasy/lite horror.
Peter, the main character, made me think about the Wandering Jew who's cursed to wander the Earth. Peter is cursed to wander and never go back to Ireland.
There's a lot of tenderness, there's diversity, and a lovely romance that made me cry bucket.
I hope to read other novels featuring Peter and David.
This one touched my heart and made me cry&smile.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to MIRA for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

Rating: 4.5 stars
After angering one o’ them folk, Peter Shaughnessy was cursed and sentenced to exile from his family and Ireland. He mourned their loss and the trauma they endured when he seemingly abandoned them. Peter eventually found solace with his partner, but in his eighties, Peter realized that the curse also made him immortal. He was forced to watch his partner age and die, and he lost his community when they noticed he stopped aging.

Knowing he will never die, Peter now isolates himself to avoid the cost of perpetual loss. Two centuries in, he now finds and passes on ghosts to help people without getting involved, often posing as a nameless groundskeeper that disappears as abruptly as he appears. When Peter overhears a teenager talking about a potentially powerful spirit, he heads to that town.

At the cemetery, Peter senses an anger so intense it seeps into the atmosphere and poisons other ghosts with it. One such ghost is the father of the newly appointed cemetery director, Nevaeh Key-Flores. Peter’s ability to feel spirits’ emotions and witnessing Nevaeh’s unrelenting grief creates an intimate tie to them that pushes against his walls—walls that are further undermined by precocious Samira al-Masri; her long-suffering older brother, Sayid; and charming historian, David Schwertner. Peter slowly falls into their sphere of warmth and the allure of kinship, despite fighting his growing attachment. As the reach and power of the entity grows, so too does Peter’s panic and desire to flee. Will he abandon the bonds he’s created and risk his loved ones’ lives, or will he stay, knowing the pain that comes with the inevitable end?

The Keeper of Lonely Spirits is a compelling portrayal of grief, forgiveness, disconnectedness, and love. While a cozy fantasy, loss is an overarching theme, and there are potentially upsetting events, such as mention of failed suicide attempts and on-page panic attacks. The book is very character-driven, and they are vivid and empathetic, including secondary characters with minimal page time. Each character is drowning and buries their vulnerability under taciturnity, work, responsibility, and recklessness. Peter is terrified of forming relationships, and the barest whiff of connection sends him running. Nevaeh is full of anguish and anger that’s she locked down and has no intention of facing. David lost his husband and hides under his jovial personality and work. Samira and Sayid are dealing with the hospitalization of their beloved grandfather and their parents’ increased absence. Sayid does his best to ignore his worries and take care of Samira, but her confusion and unhappiness cause her to act out, then feel like an unwanted burden. The collective pain and struggles of the family Peter unintentionally builds mirror and unbury his, and their quick attachment to his heartstrings undoes him.

The writing is engaging and wonderfully portrays Peter’s understandable and staunch stand against closeness and his contradictory yearning to belong. Peter’s growing love, his rejection of it, and mounting fear of it is palpable and affecting. The book is a contemplative exploration of living with sorrow and the strength of community. As such, the pace is deliberate and slow to provide space for the emotional development of four major characters. However, the mystery and fantasy elements falter slightly to provide that space. For instance, Peter is desperate to find the spirit, but overlooks something obvious given his century-plus cemetery hopping experience. Thus, the climatic inciting incident explodes in the last 12%, leading to an emotionally resonant, but swift and predictable resolution. The magical elements are also slippery, such as Peter’s ability to speak to plants arising from the curse, but Sayid can too. Are all people inherently magical to some extent? Is that magic different than the ability to see ghosts, which children can do until a certain age?

However, these small details are ignorable in the face of The Keeper of Lonely Spirits lovely heartbreak and mending and its characters, whose deep pain makes me want to wrap them in blanket burritos. If you’re in the mood for a story about the power of love, found family, and emotional bravery, may this delight you as much as it did me.

In The Keeper of Lonely Spirits, E.M. Anderson has created both a heartbreaking and hopeful story about the exploration of grief and loneliness. In a story woven about helping spirits confront their past, Peter has raced away from his own past. But now in Harrington, he must come to terms with his own losses or lose everything he cares for, yet again.
I love the way spirits, ghosts of the past, are used as a way for others to confront their own losses and find a way to move forward. I am also delighted in how Peter progresses into relationships that evolve and he becomes far more attached than he wants to be. But in those attachments he finds strength and hope. While there are moments that are heartbreaking, the ending is beautiful.
If you like stories about love and family, loss and acceptance, The Keeper of Lonely Spirits would be perfect for you. The relationships, friendships and love, are beautifully and authentically written and even the ghosts have heart in this novel about love and loss. The ending is both heartbreaking and hopeful yet perfect even when it brought me to tears.

This was not what I was expecting at all! (In the best way possible!) it’s captivating. I loved the world building, and the story telling and the delightful diverse cast of characters. Highly recommend!

A well written novel that has no shortage of powerful emotions and great prose. This book makes for a great read.

Thank you, Harlequin Trade Publishing, for granting me access to this book for review through NetGalley! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Anderson weaves a cozy and wistful tale of small-town hauntings and lost (and found) family with "The Keeper of Lonely Spirits". The novel reads like a mystery and showcases a colorful and lush writing style. The author does a fantastic job of character development, writing characters you would want to know and befriend in real life, and features a diverse character set.

I enjoyed this novel, and felt the story growing on me the more I progressed with the book. It reminded me of the importance of loving those in your life you may one day lose, because there is beauty in loving again.

This is a book you need to go into blind. I did, and I am SO glad I did. Being a mood reader, it was a little hard for me to get into - but it was definitely a “me” problem. This book deal with grief and loss, and when I tried to pick it up the first time, it was the anniversary of my grandpa’s passing and it was a little too raw for my headspace at the time. However - I am SO grateful that I picked it back up, because… wow. This book made me feel seen. You will not regret picking it up! Thank you so much for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!