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A review by so_many_books
The Haunting Between Us by Paul Michael Winters
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If you're in the mood for something spooky but not terrifying, then this is the book for you. I like a bit of spookyness in my books, but I'm not a fan of overly terrifying ones, so I'm glad The Haunting Between Us turned out to be just what I liked.
This book definitely keeps you on your toes when it comes to the mysterious Crimson House, also known as Hugo's new home. It's haunted for sure, and I have chills just by thinking someone lives there with a not so nice ghost. I would have freaked out way before Hugo did.
Our other MC is Cameron, who lives across the street from Crimson House, and he also has a history with the haunted house. He's also a sweet guy who develops crushes way too easily. Like he falls just a little bit for his new neighbour when he sees him for the first time. It's just simply sweet.
Their story does not start the easiest, but the hauntings in the old house quickly bring them close.
The book is YA, which means we get a healthy dose of teenage angst, high school bullies, and the healing power of school theatre. We also have a wonderful friendship group complete with a paranormal investigator (Abby), a psychic (Chloe), her girlfriend (Maya), a sweet social non-binary friend (Taylor), and the token straight friend (Matty). I absolutely love them as a bunch.
The story definitely focuses on the Crimson House and hauntings that go on within it, but it's nicely rounded out with a bit of teenage romance and friendships that I very much appreciate. Yes, there are some spooky, slightly scary things going on, but I don't feel like the book actively tries to scare me.
The mystery of the house is the key to the whole story, and in my opinion, it wasn't that hard to solve. The book did include quite a few twists, but I saw them coming a mile away. Which is not bad. It just maybe means the author has some improvement when it comes to plot.
I appreciate that the history of the house and its inhabitants is so involved in the mystery. It added a much needed second layer to all that was going on.
As for the romance, it is very ordinary. The attraction between Hugo and Cameron is clear from the beginning, but once they get together, it's way too fast. Their relationship goes from zero to 100 in a matter of days, which is something I generally don't like in romances.
I did love their bond, though. It's nice to see young men being vulnerable and open with each other instead of repressing their problems.
Overall, I think this is a very enjoyable book. It's spooky, it's mysterious but it's also fun.
I listened to the audiobook, too, and it's great, and I loved the narrator.
This book definitely keeps you on your toes when it comes to the mysterious Crimson House, also known as Hugo's new home. It's haunted for sure, and I have chills just by thinking someone lives there with a not so nice ghost. I would have freaked out way before Hugo did.
Our other MC is Cameron, who lives across the street from Crimson House, and he also has a history with the haunted house. He's also a sweet guy who develops crushes way too easily. Like he falls just a little bit for his new neighbour when he sees him for the first time. It's just simply sweet.
Their story does not start the easiest, but the hauntings in the old house quickly bring them close.
The book is YA, which means we get a healthy dose of teenage angst, high school bullies, and the healing power of school theatre. We also have a wonderful friendship group complete with a paranormal investigator (Abby), a psychic (Chloe), her girlfriend (Maya), a sweet social non-binary friend (Taylor), and the token straight friend (Matty). I absolutely love them as a bunch.
The story definitely focuses on the Crimson House and hauntings that go on within it, but it's nicely rounded out with a bit of teenage romance and friendships that I very much appreciate. Yes, there are some spooky, slightly scary things going on, but I don't feel like the book actively tries to scare me.
The mystery of the house is the key to the whole story, and in my opinion, it wasn't that hard to solve. The book did include quite a few twists, but I saw them coming a mile away. Which is not bad. It just maybe means the author has some improvement when it comes to plot.
I appreciate that the history of the house and its inhabitants is so involved in the mystery. It added a much needed second layer to all that was going on.
As for the romance, it is very ordinary. The attraction between Hugo and Cameron is clear from the beginning, but once they get together, it's way too fast. Their relationship goes from zero to 100 in a matter of days, which is something I generally don't like in romances.
I did love their bond, though. It's nice to see young men being vulnerable and open with each other instead of repressing their problems.
Overall, I think this is a very enjoyable book. It's spooky, it's mysterious but it's also fun.
I listened to the audiobook, too, and it's great, and I loved the narrator.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Body shaming, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Car accident