5/5

On the first day of December the universe gave to me a hot Irish ghost who appeared to audit my soul from behind my Christmas tree. B.K. Borison forges a new path in her latest holiday romance, Good Spirits, that not only had me romanticizing the concept of A Christmas Carol (minus Scrooge and with only one hot ghost), but more importantly had me wondering where do I sign up for this soul auditing scheme. Blanketed by holiday cheer, snow, and peppermint sticks, Good Spirits is a holiday romance of epic contradictions — much like the holidays themselves. The yuletide carols and wholesome family gatherings are out of the question for Harriet York, a late twenty-something dealing with the passing of an aunt who helped her leave behind the stifling expectations of her family. Working at the antique shop she inherited while shuffling between her everyday paths has left Harriet to become her own kind of ghost. But who doesn't want an actual ghost to appear and tell them their soul is in mortal peril? Infusing her captivating charm and capacity for unparalleled love stories, B.K. Borison’s Good Spirits is a heartening holiday romance involving loneliness and the power of memory in refortifying our present.

My full review is now posted on my blog.

I just finished “First-Time Caller” and immediately grabbed another book by B.K. Borison. I was initially hesitant about the premise of “Good Spirits,” but since “First-Time Caller” was so enjoyable, I decided to give it a shot. “Good Spirits” is a heartwarming and charming holiday romance that blends magic and love. The chemistry between Harriet and Noah is instant. While the premise could have easily felt cheesy, Borison’s engaging writing style somehow makes it work beautifully. This is a must-add to your TBR—“Good Spirits” is the perfect magical read for the 2025 holiday season.
Thanks to NetGallery and Avon and Harper Voyager for an advanced copy of this eBook in exchange for my honest review.

Good Spirits by B.K. Borison is a heartwarming, magical holiday romance that will have you feeling all the feels! This delightful tale follows Nolan Callahan, the Ghost of Christmas Past, who has spent centuries haunting with no real attachment or hope for the future—until he meets Harriet York. Harriet is a sweet, kind woman, trying her best to please everyone, yet she’s completely baffled when Nolan appears in her life.

Their connection is immediate and undeniable, and the way their relationship unfolds is so wonderfully swoony. Nolan’s gruff yet surprisingly tender nature is a perfect match for Harriet’s warm heart, and their chemistry is just magical. Watching them explore their pasts and uncover deep, meaningful connections will keep you hooked. The way Borison weaves together themes of self-discovery, second chances, and love is truly special.

What I loved most about Good Spirits is how cozy and festive it feels. The holiday magic and the quirky charm of the story make it the perfect read for the season, but it also brings a sweet and emotional depth to the romance. I found myself grinning through the entire book and felt that warm, fuzzy glow that only the best holiday romances bring.

With a perfect blend of humor, romance, and a bit of mayhem, B.K. Borison has created a must-read Christmas story that will make you believe in the magic of love and second chances. Highly recommend this one for anyone looking for a heartwarming, swoony read that will make your holidays even brighter!

What a unique book concept. This was such a fun and different read. I loved the idea of a ghost and the “haunting”. It was fun to try and connect the dots of why they were put together. I was trying to find clues as to why things were happening but I guess I was as clueless as Nolan haha.

I relate a LOT to Harriet. I felt such a deep sense of understanding when she was explaining how she didn’t feel like she fit and she was trying to stop forcing herself into the spaces not meant for her. I feel like I desperately needed to read about this as I have been struggling lately with this.

Overall, I did enjoy this quite a bit and would recommend!

B.K. Borison has spun magic into her signature cozy, real-feel style, and I loved it! It reads like a contemporary while giving you the magical escapism of a fantasy.

B.K Borison has perfected romance genre writing and now has thrown a little magic into the mix with Good Spirits. I loved the dynamic between Harriet and Nolan and the Ghost of Christmas Past business. I also liked the dual point of view and following Harriet as she realizes she no longer wants to be a doormat to her mother. I felt like the plot moved a little bit fast and I wanted to see a little more into the world Borison is introducing us to (reapers? ghosts? HELLO!), but I'm guessing that might come with more books in the series. Either way, I loved it and feel like B.K. does no wrong!


Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC!

Another delicious, heartwarming read from Borison! I loved the concept of the ghost of Christmas past exploring her childhood trauma—and his own forgotten past. What a clever way to keep these two lovers apart, and even more satisfying as they fall in love and earn their HEA! A wonderful return to the holiday settings Borison has made us all fall in love with. So ready for this new era!!

I think the concept (ghost of christmas past?) sounds a little corny, but then it was SO GOOD! So much chemistry and longing. I couldn't put it down! I will definitely re-read this at Christmas time as a treat to myself! Highly recommend! The ending left me a little confused, but that didn't take away from the book!

This book is just the perfect Christmas romance. It gives you the feeling of drinking hot chocolate while curled up in your softest blanket by a fire. I just love Nolan and Harriet. They are a perfect grumpy and sunshine combo and added with the Christmas magic of the book, the story will keep you entranced. While I read this earlier than Christmas, I hope to reread it this year around the holiday season because it’s just that good.

Thank you to Harper Collins Publishing and NetGalley for this advanced readers copy. All thoughts and comments are my own.


P.S. The cover is simply amazing!

Oh. My. GOD!!! Between "First Time Caller" and "Good Spirits"??? I'm picking up more of B.K. Borison's books! This book follows Harriet York, who has found herself being haunted by Nolan, a Ghost of Christmas Past. As she tries to figure out why exactly she's being haunted...shenanigans ensue. This was so good!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Good Spirits was absolutely delightful, the type of book you know is special just a few chapters out, causing you to string it along so you can savor it (which is exactly what I did). Our main characters are Nolan, the Ghost of Christmas past (having died 100 years ago) and Harriet, a generous and kind woman who may as well be the personification of Christmas spirit. These two could not be more different with the exception of true goodness that seems to be shared between them.

Nolan visits Harriet in the run up to Christmas, sure he’s going to show her something in her past that will represent her descent into being a grump (which she is not). Both are puzzled when her past only seems to bring up how strong she is at present for overcoming a truly cruddy childhood and adulthood. What’s even more puzzling is that Nolan’s own faded past seems to be coming up when visiting Harriet’s. So the two decide there must be a reason, most likely Harriet needing to help Nolan move on as a ghost, and therein the chemistry that was between them fast tracks into some very real (very interesting in ‘how will this turn out’ feelings.

The banter between Harriet and Nolan is second to none, and resonates with the reader all the more because B.K. Borison gives her characters such personality and believability. In addition, the ghost world Nolan inhabits is fresh and hilarious, which compliments Harriet’s real world. Good Spirits is an effortless read, and while I reached some points I felt were a touch drawn out, the story is so feel good and entertaining that I didn’t mind having some more time with Harriet and Nolan. I love that this seems to be part of an upcoming series, as I can’t get enough of our author’s imagination and stellar writing.

I went into this book blind and purely downloaded it because it was Borison that wrote it. I have enjoyed her previous work and really liked First Time Caller in particular. This book is completely different from that one, but nevertheless just as good. The story follows an fmc as she tries to navigate her life and family strife. It takes place during the holiday season and loosely follows A Christmas Carol, as she is visited by a ghost of Christmas past. I don't want to spoil anything, but this is a great holiday time, magical realism read.

Each book I read of B. K. Borison, I fall more and more in love. This read was incredible, and I am so excited for the rest of the series. The whole idea of the Ghost of Christmas Past in a modern and fun retelling. I loved the storyline that fate brings them together, and they're fight to know each other a meant to be. He was just born too soon (SWOOOON). Be still my heart.

The fact her aunt came to visit him at the ending, kinda smack a little sense into him LOL. Gah, I just loved this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review. If there are special editions, I will buy all of them.

I choose this book just based on the author. I have read all of B.K. Borison's books and have loved them. I had no idea what I was walking into with this Christmas love story. With a Dickens feel, but modern take, Good Spirits took the reader on an amazing journey back in time to figure out how these two main leads are connected. The romance was awesome, the humor and Christmas feel were everything. If I have to be visited by a ghost of Christmas past, please let it be by Nolan. He was such an great lead. He was funny, kind, and really saw Harriet for who she was and not who she wanted people to think she was. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley! This was holiday romance perfection. Never would have guessed it from a book about a woman haunted by the ghost of Christmas past but I should have expected it when I saw BK Borisons name on it. A delight.

My girl with another complete banger. She is the queen of producing the coziest vibes in the best settings. Everywhere she writes about I wanna live in. The characters were so yum and I just ached for them to be made whole and love each other. Tension was high and the romance was sweet.

I really enjoy Borison’s characters and this did not disappoint. Full of holiday cheer and the wonder that the season brings. Harriet and Nolan are the epitome of grumpy/sunshine and I love it. Harriet’s heart and love to give everyone is inspiring and her growth to protect herself is wonderful. Nolan gets a dose of his own medicine as the ghost of Christmas past and finds his own joy along the way.

'Tis always the season for a book like Good Spirits. Borison's books are always a must read for me and I must say that this is probably tied for first in my favorite of her books, alongside First-time Caller. I have literally recommended this book to every person I talk to books about. It is something special and I'm excited to read the rest of this series.

Good Spirits is, in my opinion, an uplifting tale of two souls who are destined for something more.

Nolan, our MMC, is a ghost of Christmas past. He has been given a new job and it turns out to be nothing like he was expecting.

Harriet, our FMC, is a good person and can't figure out why out of all the people in the world that she is being haunted.

They journey together through Harriet's memories, trying to figure out why Nolan was sent to haunt her. There are some wonderful moments for growth for both characters, which I really appreciated and found touching. There were a number of tears, laughs, and revelations that had my heart happy.

*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for the arc, all opinions are my own.

This is quite literally the best book I've ever read. I could easily see this being a yearly reread around the holidays or any time I want to feel a touch of Christmas magic. It was like swimming inside a mug of hot cocoa, and I never wanted to leave.

Holiday Spirit Nolan Callahan is a gentle soul, living on the water with his stray cats, passing his time reading and knitting, waiting for each December, when he’s given a new assignment to haunt someone –as the Ghost of Christmas Past–who needs to find closure or make amends. This year, his assignment is a sugar addict and antique store proprietor Harriet York. Mostly estranged from her wealthy family, Harriet is reviving from a childhood of gaslight, not being enough, and not being wanted. As Nolan, a former sailor, uses his magic to navigate to winters past to help Harriet solve some unknown mystery, things so wrong when they land in Nolan’s past, instead. Deprived for a hundred years of touch, taste, sensation and even dreams, being in proximity to Harriet makes Nolan start to come alive. Their attraction is mutual and Harriet becomes convinced that perhaps it’s she who is supposed to help Nolan, somehow.

Borison explores themes of loneliness, being bound and boundless, lost and found. The angst and longing made my heart ache. The pain is balanced with a funny/lazy/biting shop assistant, tons of holiday decor and seasonal trappings, a visit to what can only be Lovelight Farms, and fighting depression and trauma with coziness and warmth towards each other. I immediately slipped into Nolan’s experience and believed that as a ghost, he could do magic, disrupt the physical world, and had enough permanence to touch and be touched. You’ll be routing for this couple from the beginning, even as they try to resist and face the very cold, hard reality they may not be able to make this newfound love last.

The release date for this one straddles spooky season and the start of The Holidays, so feel free to read it twice: once for the spooky ghostly paranormal vibes in October, and again in December for the candy canes, snow, and Christmasness of it all.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #GoodSpirits via #NetGalley courtesy of #Avon. A review will post to HLBB on 10/1/2025.