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2.88 AVERAGE
2.88 AVERAGE
DNF, there was more sexual tension than haunting. I was expecting something more spooky. Maybe it became more of a ghost story with romance sprinkled in, but I couldn't stick around to find out.
The concept had the potential to be interesting, but the execution fell flat. The characters, relationships, themes and overall plot just felt underdeveloped.
This is one of those books I won’t remember and I’m sorry to say, I’m looking forward to that.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.
This is one of those books I won’t remember and I’m sorry to say, I’m looking forward to that.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
What happens when two feuding authors end up on the same writers retreat at a haunted Scottish castle? Witty banter, amateur paranormal investigations (aka: some Scooby-Doo level hijinks), personal breakthroughs, oh and plenty of sex.
Authors Penelope Skinner and Neil Simon share a history of animosity but find themselves drawn to each other and the weird goings-on in the haunted castle in Scotland where they find themselves snowed in. Their fellow authors staying in the castle aren't experiencing any of the hauntings so Penelope and Neil take it upon themselves to save them all from the things that go bump in the night. These enemies turned lovers aren't sure whether to be more shocked by their scorching chemistry or the fact that ghosts are real!
There was plenty to like in this book. It was fast paced and kept me guessing and I enjoyed the leads coming to terms with their own self-doubt and their relationship with each other. I feel like the final reveal didn't really hold up to all the build up of the haunting. While I was satisfied with where the characters ended up at the end of the novel, I wasn't disappointed I'd reached the end.
Authors Penelope Skinner and Neil Simon share a history of animosity but find themselves drawn to each other and the weird goings-on in the haunted castle in Scotland where they find themselves snowed in. Their fellow authors staying in the castle aren't experiencing any of the hauntings so Penelope and Neil take it upon themselves to save them all from the things that go bump in the night. These enemies turned lovers aren't sure whether to be more shocked by their scorching chemistry or the fact that ghosts are real!
Spoiler
The ghost's backstory was interesting if not a little predictable. When the reveal happened that her beloved hadn't died in the war or actually abandoned her and the baby but came back and they were married and happy for three years or so, I didn't understand why she would be haunting the house...she died young but she was happy and her son was made her father's heir so...it was like a complete 180° turn for me in her motivation.There was plenty to like in this book. It was fast paced and kept me guessing and I enjoyed the leads coming to terms with their own self-doubt and their relationship with each other. I feel like the final reveal didn't really hold up to all the build up of the haunting. While I was satisfied with where the characters ended up at the end of the novel, I wasn't disappointed I'd reached the end.
please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: HFN
POV: dual 1st person
spice: a couple open-door spicy scenes
TWs: anxiety, claustrophobia, death, mentions of Indigenous genocide, gore, head injury (nonfatal), racism
Kinky Content: biting, finger licking good, fingering, grinding, nipple play, oral
standalone: standalone
final thoughts: Cute, steamy, and spooky
read this book if you love
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: HFN
POV: dual 1st person
spice: a couple open-door spicy scenes
TWs: anxiety, claustrophobia, death, mentions of Indigenous genocide, gore, head injury (nonfatal), racism
Kinky Content: biting, finger licking good, fingering, grinding, nipple play, oral
standalone: standalone
final thoughts: Cute, steamy, and spooky
read this book if you love
The premise of this was cool but I don’t think I expected it to be so creepy. That’s typically not a genre that I’m drawn to or choose to read, so keep that in mind with my review. I love a good enemies to lovers trope and I felt like this one had a mature evolution into a relationship - forced proximity with a side of terrifying ghosts is a good way to talk about your feelings and examine prejudice ha
The actual ghost storyline wasn’t my fav which also brought down my rating a bit. I wanted more of a reason that Georgina had haunted the castle in such an aggressive way and I felt that reasoning could have been a bit stronger.
Thank you to NetGalley & St Martin’s for the opportunity to read!
The actual ghost storyline wasn’t my fav which also brought down my rating a bit. I wanted more of a reason that Georgina had haunted the castle in such an aggressive way and I felt that reasoning could have been a bit stronger.
Thank you to NetGalley & St Martin’s for the opportunity to read!
I really enjoyed reading this! It had me at the edge of my seat the entire time.
This book was really well written and I believe it holds an important message about not assuming what others go through and not to judge people.
I could see why Pen was upset with Neil and why she said and did what she did. I'm glad that she did grew from her anger once her and Neil talked and got to finally understand each other. I really loved the ghosts story and the mystery that was woven throughout the book. It felt like I was playing a Nancy Drew game. The setting was perfect done, the atmosphere was tensed and spooky af. The way the author wrote the spooky scene was pretty top tier and ngl made me a bit spooked in the moment as well. I got so lost in reading that the rest of the world muted around me and I was getting chills.
I keep seeing this book get such bad ratings and I honestly don't see why, it's a really good book. Perfect for the spooky season and a good Enemies-to-lovers. The writing was hella easy to read and I really enjoyed this book. So to everyone who's interested, please just give the book a chance, you might end up liking it yourself. Don't feel bummed out by the bad reviews and trick yourself into thinking you'll hate it, you never know, it might just be one of your favorites!
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a spooky romance to read this spook season, to fans of Nancy Drew, and fans of Enemies-to-lovers.
Thank you to Netgalley, st Martins press, and the author for giving me a E-ARC for a honest review.
This book was really well written and I believe it holds an important message about not assuming what others go through and not to judge people.
I could see why Pen was upset with Neil and why she said and did what she did. I'm glad that she did grew from her anger once her and Neil talked and got to finally understand each other. I really loved the ghosts story and the mystery that was woven throughout the book. It felt like I was playing a Nancy Drew game. The setting was perfect done, the atmosphere was tensed and spooky af. The way the author wrote the spooky scene was pretty top tier and ngl made me a bit spooked in the moment as well. I got so lost in reading that the rest of the world muted around me and I was getting chills.
I keep seeing this book get such bad ratings and I honestly don't see why, it's a really good book. Perfect for the spooky season and a good Enemies-to-lovers. The writing was hella easy to read and I really enjoyed this book. So to everyone who's interested, please just give the book a chance, you might end up liking it yourself. Don't feel bummed out by the bad reviews and trick yourself into thinking you'll hate it, you never know, it might just be one of your favorites!
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a spooky romance to read this spook season, to fans of Nancy Drew, and fans of Enemies-to-lovers.
Thank you to Netgalley, st Martins press, and the author for giving me a E-ARC for a honest review.
I thought I would love this book. Reading the description it had everything I was looking for. Sadly, it just left me searching for something else. Penelope and Neil were just horrible to each other. Neil just had an ick I couldn't get past. It felt like Penelope was just gaslighting Neil and us throughout the book. I'm still giving it 3 stars because of the side characters and the scenery.
I do want to thank NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC copy. I promised to give an honest review.
I do want to thank NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC copy. I promised to give an honest review.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes