A review by vaniavela
Phantoms, Ghosts, and Other Heartbreaks by Beth Morton

4.0

I’ve always loved Phantom of the Opera—I’ve seen the musical countless times. While the original story is beautifully tragic, I’ve always wished for a happier ending for Erik and Christine. This book delivered exactly what I was looking for.

Morton did such a great job retelling the story. The tragic characters and their struggles are still there, but they’re actually explored in a deeper way. The characters felt really well-developed, and I loved the attention to detail. The romance was so well-paced—it felt natural and built up really nicely.

One of the standout aspects of this retelling is the way Morton handles Erik’s disfigurement. It’s not brushed aside or treated as a fleeting detail—it’s an important part of who he is. The heroine’s acceptance of him as he is was truly heartwarming, adding layers of emotional richness to the story. Similarly, I loved that the heroine wasn’t perfect either. She had her own struggles to face, and the narrative gave both characters the space to grow individually while finding love together.

The steamy scenes? Wow. They were written in vivid detail—enough to stir emotions and bring a blush to my face! HAHA. I’d say this book is for readers who are comfortable with mature content because it doesn’t hold back on those moments.

That said, the story did feel a bit lengthy in parts, and some transitions could have been smoother. But overall, the writing was solid, and I had a great time with this story.

Pub Date: Jan 16 2025