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parttimebloggerbookgeek's review against another edition
3.0
This is a review for the audible edition bought with my one credit. This book is more of a 2.5 book, but gets bumped up to 3 stars, given once again Amanda Ronconi delivers a stellar audio read.
This wasn't a favorite of mine from Molly Harper, though I've enjoyed her other works. I found the concept wonderful, but the delivery, not so much. Even her characters seemed a tad on the flat unreal side. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I tad to give the credit for that because Amanda Ronconi can really sell a story.
This wasn't a favorite of mine from Molly Harper, though I've enjoyed her other works. I found the concept wonderful, but the delivery, not so much. Even her characters seemed a tad on the flat unreal side. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I tad to give the credit for that because Amanda Ronconi can really sell a story.
kayedacus's review against another edition
4.0
Story: 4.25 stars
Narrator: 4.5 stars
What a fun story! I'd love to see someone like Joss Whedon or Eric Kripke make this into a movie. It was both snarky and (slightly) creepy at the same time, just like what those two create.
I'm not the world's greatest at solving mysteries (which is why I rarely read them), but even I'd figured out the "twist" at the end of this romantic ghost story. But that's okay, because it was fun watching the characters figure it out.
Harper did a great job developing the characters, too. It seems like she started with the typical two-dimensional stereotype characters (the rich frat boy; the nerdy tech billionaire; the emotionally abused shrinking violet; the hates-all-rich-people, up-by-her-bootstraps sassy girl; and the hippy-dippy bohemian) and then built from there--and then made all of them sympathetic, relatable, and three-dimensional.
I really enjoyed the author's humor, evident throughout the prose---and even the chapter titles had me grinning or outright laughing.
I look forward to reading more books by this new-to-me author!
Narrator: 4.5 stars
What a fun story! I'd love to see someone like Joss Whedon or Eric Kripke make this into a movie. It was both snarky and (slightly) creepy at the same time, just like what those two create.
I'm not the world's greatest at solving mysteries (which is why I rarely read them), but even I'd figured out the "twist" at the end of this romantic ghost story. But that's okay, because it was fun watching the characters figure it out.
Harper did a great job developing the characters, too. It seems like she started with the typical two-dimensional stereotype characters (the rich frat boy; the nerdy tech billionaire; the emotionally abused shrinking violet; the hates-all-rich-people, up-by-her-bootstraps sassy girl; and the hippy-dippy bohemian) and then built from there--and then made all of them sympathetic, relatable, and three-dimensional.
I really enjoyed the author's humor, evident throughout the prose---and even the chapter titles had me grinning or outright laughing.
I look forward to reading more books by this new-to-me author!
paradoxchild's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
shelleyrae's review against another edition
3.0
I've enjoyed Molly Harper's sense of fun and humour in her Jane Jameson series and Naked Werewolf series so I leapt at the opportunity to read this new stand alone novel.
Better Homes and Hauntings is a paranormal romance/mystery that is set in a dilapidated haunted mansion on a private island off the coast of Newport. Crane's Nest is the ancestral home of young software billionaire Deacon Whitney and despite a history of tragedy and hauntings he decides to renovate the mansion, hiring a team of professionals including his best friend and architect, Jake, Nina, a landscaper, and professional cleaner and organiser, Cindy. The project requires them all to remain on the island during the renovation and ignore the weird vibes and frightening dreams the house seems to provoke but that grows increasingly difficult as a malevolent spirit begins to make its presence known. Deacon's cousin, Dotty is convinced that solving the mystery surrounding the death of her great-great grandmother, Catherine Whitney, will put the spirit to rest but they need to do so quickly, before history repeats itself.
Harper finds a good balance between creepy ghost story and lighthearted romance in Better Homes and Hauntings. There were moments when my skin prickled with goosebumps and times when I was smiling broadly at the snarky banter between her characters.
The mystery is well thought out, with missing diaries, stolen jewels and a ghostly murderer to find. Harper also integrates a real world element in the form of Nina's vengeful ex-boyfriend, intent on sabotaging her success.
I though the mix of personalities worked well, the enforced isolation creating a quick and tight bond between the main characters. Two romances develop over the course of the novel, Deacon falls for Nina, while Jake is infatuated with Cindy. Both pairings are well suited and it is sweet to see them work things out.
A quick, light and engaging read, fans of Harper are sure to enjoy Better Homes and Hauntings and as a rare stand alone it's a great way to test her appeal without committing to a series.
setaian's review against another edition
4.0
Trying to rebuild her business after her former business partner decided to ruin her reputation and send her to the wall, Nina accepts a job away from the city restoring a mansion on an isolated island. Together with a very small team they are restoring the house and gardens which have stood deserted for more than 100 years. But they quickly encounter a malevolence that is haunting the house.
As they restore the house, they gradually uncover a story of murder and betrayal and it seems that the ghost has decided to focus its fury on Nina.
Better Homes and Hauntings is such a great book. Molly Harper writes with an intelligence and wit that is completely addictive. This book actually took a little commitment, it has a slow build into the story which I haven't noticed in her previous books but once I was hooked that was it, I just couldn't put the book down.
Many thanks to Pocket Books and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC
As they restore the house, they gradually uncover a story of murder and betrayal and it seems that the ghost has decided to focus its fury on Nina.
Better Homes and Hauntings is such a great book. Molly Harper writes with an intelligence and wit that is completely addictive. This book actually took a little commitment, it has a slow build into the story which I haven't noticed in her previous books but once I was hooked that was it, I just couldn't put the book down.
Many thanks to Pocket Books and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC
squinderella's review against another edition
4.0
Nina is a landscape architect that scores a huge job on a private island, which is great since her life is basically in the tubes. She thinks that landing this and pulling off an amazing result will not only boost her business and income, but her reputation among elite clientele. The locale though? A mansion rumored to be haunted, and right from her first-sight of the balcony, she knows that the rumors are nothing if not true.
Right away, Nina and her employer for the job, Deacon feel the telltale pull toward one another, but are hesitant due to their work status. Throw into the mix a gorgeous organizing/cleaning business owner, Cindy along with Deacon's best friend and architect, Jake, the quartet get along quite well together...until the spirits are no longer content to simply be occasionally seen and felt from a distance. They insist on making their presence known.
I really enjoyed the the murder mystery of the original owner of the mansion, Catherine. The entire time I was interested in whether or not her husband, Gerald was the pesky culprit in her death or if a potential lover had done the dirty deed. The manifestations of the spirits was nice, too - it gave some variety and gave the guests real reasons to be scared!
Nina was a fun character and I loved the chemistry between her and Deacon. They both were completely adorable nerds that belonged together.
Every time I read a Molly Harper book I think to myself that I need to read more from her - I need to actually do it! Her writing is very enjoyable!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
Right away, Nina and her employer for the job, Deacon feel the telltale pull toward one another, but are hesitant due to their work status. Throw into the mix a gorgeous organizing/cleaning business owner, Cindy along with Deacon's best friend and architect, Jake, the quartet get along quite well together...until the spirits are no longer content to simply be occasionally seen and felt from a distance. They insist on making their presence known.
I really enjoyed the the murder mystery of the original owner of the mansion, Catherine. The entire time I was interested in whether or not her husband, Gerald was the pesky culprit in her death or if a potential lover had done the dirty deed. The manifestations of the spirits was nice, too - it gave some variety and gave the guests real reasons to be scared!
Nina was a fun character and I loved the chemistry between her and Deacon. They both were completely adorable nerds that belonged together.
Every time I read a Molly Harper book I think to myself that I need to read more from her - I need to actually do it! Her writing is very enjoyable!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
cdb393's review against another edition
4.0
Closer to 4 1/2 stars
This is probably my favorite of the last three or four Molly Harper books. I'm a sucker for the old school haunted house type stories plus I love Harper's sense of humor and in this book all of the humor worked for me. I think this is the only Harper book that wasn't written in first person and I liked that I could get points of view from all five of the main characters. I enjoyed the characters quite a bit and loved their interactions and sense of community. I also liked the mystery and suspense aspects of the story. It's a fun, quick read and I recommend the audiobook because the narrator is great (I switched back and forth between audio and kindle).
This is probably my favorite of the last three or four Molly Harper books. I'm a sucker for the old school haunted house type stories plus I love Harper's sense of humor and in this book all of the humor worked for me. I think this is the only Harper book that wasn't written in first person and I liked that I could get points of view from all five of the main characters. I enjoyed the characters quite a bit and loved their interactions and sense of community. I also liked the mystery and suspense aspects of the story. It's a fun, quick read and I recommend the audiobook because the narrator is great (I switched back and forth between audio and kindle).