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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
The blurb had me so excited for this book and I loved the first chapter, but after that this book kinda lost me. The characters felt somewhat flat and while I enjoyed the plot I was really hoping for more of the paranormal aspect.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When would men realize that women wanted someone who looked like he could throw them on the bed, play a sport, but also say hell yes to a slice of cake?
DNF @ 30%.
This started off well: a small Rosemary is introduced to the world of ghosts through her Nana's passing in which she makes jam with her Nana one last time.
Seeing ghosts for an adult Rosemary is just another source of inspiration for her horror bestsellers...one of which now has a movie deal and she is relocating to London for. She has a witchy and a sassy set of best friends that support her through herbs and video calls.
That's...kinda where the enchantment ended for me. Her reasons for disliking the actor portraying her main character were valid but the execution of her dislike was less than stellar in real time. Their first interaction was a misunderstanding. Their third felt entirely scripted (I don't know about you but I can see if someone is swimming underwater...also, kind of a stretch that he can hold his breath long enough for her to not only get a floaty put in and sit in it but to begin reading in the perfect spot for him to capsize her when he comes up to breathe?) to solidify her dislike.
As for him, he didn't like her before he met her but once he did it's pretty much the insta-lust variety...which wouldn't be a total problem except that there is little else he thinks about aside from her.
There is also a hint of dom/sub culture that felt a little unnaturally introduced to me...as well as other scenarios that felt manufactured to throw peeps together.
I want things to flow naturally. Very disappointed because this sounded 100% up my alley! I was promised "clashes" and "chemistry-filled feuding" and I'm just not getting it.
Major thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley, Nadia El-Fassi, and Ballantine for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I adored this book. Rosemary, the FMC, felt like an ode to Ghost Whisper, one of my favorite shows. I loved how unabashedly she was. She felt like a sweeter stronger fmc. On the other hand, MMC Ellis isn’t as confident in himself. He struggles to stand up for himself with his toxic manager. A bonus to the story was the ghosts where they were filming. If you know, you know. This is not just a fluffy romance with spice. There were great discussions of sexuality with bisexual reps, intimacy preferences, and grief of a loved one and a pet. I highly recommend this book!
I adored this book. Rosemary, the FMC, felt like an ode to Ghost Whisper, one of my favorite shows. I loved how unabashedly she was. She felt like a sweeter stronger fmc. On the other hand, MMC Ellis isn’t as confident in himself. He struggles to stand up for himself with his toxic manager. A bonus to the story was the ghosts where they were filming. If you know, you know. This is not just a fluffy romance with spice. There were great discussions of sexuality with bisexual reps, intimacy preferences, and grief of a loved one and a pet. I highly recommend this book!
emotional
funny
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have so many big feelings about this book.
For one, 3 cheers for safe sane and consensual bdsm practices!!!! I love a book with Dom Sub elements that isn't... god awful and toxic.
Unfortunately, I can't say there wasn't a very late third act breakup, but honestly I understand why it was orchestrated, although I do think a bit more understanding should've occured, but we can't have everything we want, can we?
Overall, the book was phenomenal. I cried, I laughed, I finished it in less than a day. I legit got it this morning. I was so stoked, too, and I was so happy it turned out to be a good book. Amazing, really. Stellar. I hate when I'm hyped up about a book and it turns out to suck, or I ended up dnfing, etc. Not this book.
I loved Ellis. I loved Rosemary. I loved Immy and Dina, and Lyn and Jenna and Lance. I loved the diverse cast and the TWO (not one, but TWO) bisexual leads. My heart hurt so much for Ellis and I just wanted him to have his quiet life with his garden!! Spoiler but obvs not, he gets his garden, thank god. He also gets his girlfriend and their pets, and his closure with Hank. Iykyk. Sobbing. I cried so hard at that scene.
This seriously is one of my favorite books so far this year. I haven't read the authors first book, but I need to know more about Dina and Scott, so safe to say I'll be going back for it. I hope we get a book about Jenna and Lyn, or even one about Immy and Eric, and how they got together. I'd eat anything up by this author if I'm honest. They handled everything in the content warnings really well, and I just .. wow.
I'm gonna be thinking of Ellis and Rosemary often.
For one, 3 cheers for safe sane and consensual bdsm practices!!!! I love a book with Dom Sub elements that isn't... god awful and toxic.
Unfortunately, I can't say there wasn't a very late third act breakup, but honestly I understand why it was orchestrated, although I do think a bit more understanding should've occured, but we can't have everything we want, can we?
Overall, the book was phenomenal. I cried, I laughed, I finished it in less than a day. I legit got it this morning. I was so stoked, too, and I was so happy it turned out to be a good book. Amazing, really. Stellar. I hate when I'm hyped up about a book and it turns out to suck, or I ended up dnfing, etc. Not this book.
I loved Ellis. I loved Rosemary. I loved Immy and Dina, and Lyn and Jenna and Lance. I loved the diverse cast and the TWO (not one, but TWO) bisexual leads. My heart hurt so much for Ellis and I just wanted him to have his quiet life with his garden!! Spoiler but obvs not, he gets his garden, thank god. He also gets his girlfriend and their pets, and his closure with Hank. Iykyk. Sobbing. I cried so hard at that scene.
This seriously is one of my favorite books so far this year. I haven't read the authors first book, but I need to know more about Dina and Scott, so safe to say I'll be going back for it. I hope we get a book about Jenna and Lyn, or even one about Immy and Eric, and how they got together. I'd eat anything up by this author if I'm honest. They handled everything in the content warnings really well, and I just .. wow.
I'm gonna be thinking of Ellis and Rosemary often.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Homophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Outing
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Love at First Fright by Nadia El-Fassi 👻🖋️🔥
Ghosts, grumps, and golden retriever man? Yes. Please.
This book was a delightfully spooky hug with a spicy twist. We’ve got:
✨ A horror author with a ghost seeing secret
✨ A hot, broody, secretly soft actor with a dog named Fig (iconic)
✨ A haunted English manor full of sass, spirits, and sapphic Regency era ghosts
✨ Age gap + enemies to lovers slow burn
Rosemary was SUCH a fun character. She is clever, successful, and trying desperately not to fall for the man she publicly tried to get fired. And Ellis? He’s the definition of "grumpy on the outside, golden retriever on the inside" and is an MMC that I really liked. Their banter was hilarious at times and I really felt the tension between them.
But what really makes this book shine is the balance of cozy paranormal vibes with real emotional beats. There’s depth behind the heat, and the way the supernatural elements are woven in, especially the ghost dog and the not so subtle lesbian ghost couple, made it feel fresh and funny in all the best ways. I do wish there was more ghost/paranormal aspects, as that sort of took a backseat as the romance took off, but I still loved it.
Also, can we talk about how refreshing it is to have an age gap where the woman is younger and the more emotionally in control one? Loved that dynamic. Loved the cranky actor and chaotic author pairing. Loved how healing this romance felt despite the haunted setting.
⭐ Spicy ghosty fun with heart
⭐ Enemies to lovers + age gap + found family (but make it paranormal)
⭐ 4.5 stars and a ghostly tail wag from Fig
If you want something Halloween adjacent but still full of heart, Love at First Fright is absolutely worth your haunted time.
Thank you to NetGalley, Nadia El-Fassi, and Ballantine/Dell for the eARC of this book.
Ghosts, grumps, and golden retriever man? Yes. Please.
This book was a delightfully spooky hug with a spicy twist. We’ve got:
✨ A horror author with a ghost seeing secret
✨ A hot, broody, secretly soft actor with a dog named Fig (iconic)
✨ A haunted English manor full of sass, spirits, and sapphic Regency era ghosts
✨ Age gap + enemies to lovers slow burn
Rosemary was SUCH a fun character. She is clever, successful, and trying desperately not to fall for the man she publicly tried to get fired. And Ellis? He’s the definition of "grumpy on the outside, golden retriever on the inside" and is an MMC that I really liked. Their banter was hilarious at times and I really felt the tension between them.
But what really makes this book shine is the balance of cozy paranormal vibes with real emotional beats. There’s depth behind the heat, and the way the supernatural elements are woven in, especially the ghost dog and the not so subtle lesbian ghost couple, made it feel fresh and funny in all the best ways. I do wish there was more ghost/paranormal aspects, as that sort of took a backseat as the romance took off, but I still loved it.
Also, can we talk about how refreshing it is to have an age gap where the woman is younger and the more emotionally in control one? Loved that dynamic. Loved the cranky actor and chaotic author pairing. Loved how healing this romance felt despite the haunted setting.
⭐ Spicy ghosty fun with heart
⭐ Enemies to lovers + age gap + found family (but make it paranormal)
⭐ 4.5 stars and a ghostly tail wag from Fig
If you want something Halloween adjacent but still full of heart, Love at First Fright is absolutely worth your haunted time.
Thank you to NetGalley, Nadia El-Fassi, and Ballantine/Dell for the eARC of this book.