A review by queerafictionado
Pumpkin Spice and Poltergeist by Ali K. Mulford, K. Elle Morrison

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

HOLY FREAKING SPOOKY CUTENESS!! I was super excited for this book and worried it was not going to live up to the hype or my expectations. But I absolutely adored this book and am SO GLAD it’s the first in a series - because I need more books with these characters in this adorable paranormal town!

Halloweentown is one of my all time favorite movies and I watch the whole series at least once a year. So imagine my delight to find a queer book set in a town just like that! If I could go visit Maple Hollow I would be there this instant. Harlow, Jordyn, and Lou all had my heart from page one. I adored them all so much. Not because they were perfect, but because they were far from it! 

Harlow is this chaotic, wonderful mess of a human being who I relate to so freaking much. She just wants to be seen and understood and loved. And when she finds out the town her sister’s cafe is located in is full of paranormal beings and that monsters and vampires and witches are real…she just rolls with the punches. Maybe a little too freely at times lol. 

And Jordyn is this seemingly standoffish witch who owns an apothecary with her best friend, but just really hasn’t been the same since her ex died not long after she broke up with her. Then one night she stupidly decides to summon the spirit of her ex girlfriend to get closure, but then her ex’s ghost gets stuck there and she can’t pass on. I mean…talk about messy lesbian drama! 😜 Lou was full of snark and sass and literally died in the epitome of lesbian attire and had me cracking up numerous times throughout the story. She had so many great one liners and was just always up to shenanigans. 

And Harlow and Jordyn’s connection was off the charts. And I loved how at times they were both kind of hesitant and shy and uncertain and then other times just couldn’t contain themselves. It was adorable and also sexy AF. 

I also love the way the narration was done for the audiobook. There were three different narrators - one for Jordyn’s parts, one for Harlow’s, and one for all the male characters in the story. It was amazing and felt almost like a full cast narration at times. 

The vibes alone in this book were top notch, but add into that the sweet and spicy sapphic romance, the snarky ghost ex girlfriend, the murder mystery sub plot, and all the various paranormal inhabitants of the town with all their unique personalities - I AM OBSESSED! I absolutely can’t wait for the next Maple Hollow book! 🎃👻

🏳️‍🌈Rep: Lesbian FMC, Bisexual FMC, Sapphic, Queer SCs

📝Tropes/Themes: Rom Com, Cozy Paranormal, Ghosts, Witches, Small Paranormal Town, Murder Mystery, Cute & Spooky, Sapphic Romance, Halloweentown Vibes 
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