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itsliterarylexi 's review for:
Haunted
by Christina C. Jones
4⭐️
tropes/themes: black love, supernatural bond, reincarnated soulmates, forced proximity, emotional walls
synopsis :
haunted is a paranormal romance that blends slow-burn chemistry with spiritual tension — all told through christina c. jones’ signature lens of smart, black love. khalida works as a club manager alongside her long-term boyfriend, travis. on the surface, everything looks fine — the job is stable, the relationship is steady — but emotionally? she’s drained. the spark is fading, and their connection feels more like obligation than love. she’s not actively looking for a way out… but she knows something’s missing. then comes aram — intense, watchful, and drawn to her in a way that’s hard to explain. their connection isn’t just strong — it feels like something she’s never experienced but somehow already knows. what khalida doesn’t realize is that this isn’t just chemistry — it’s memory. aram remembers what she hasn’t yet uncovered. their bond runs deeper than either of them understands — spiritual, magnetic, and impossible to ignore.
my thoughts:
this book had me from chapter one. it’s the energy. the tension. that "i don’t know why i’m drawn to you, but i am" kinda vibe that c.c.j. does so well. khalida felt like someone you’d know in real life — she’s not broken or bitter, just tired. tired of the day-to-day with a man who feels more like a coworker than a partner. and baby, when aram came on the scene with that quiet, intense pressure? i knew she wasn’t gonna make it out untouched. and i didn’t want her to.
i love that their chemistry wasn’t just lust — it felt like fate. like they were being pulled toward each other by something bigger than them. the paranormal/spiritual element was just enough to make everything feel elevated without doing the most. you’re not getting ghosts flying around the room, but that “i’ve been here before” energy? thick.
also loved that khalida wasn’t immediately swept — she asked questions, she pushed back, she held her ground. and aram respected that. he wasn’t out here trying to force her hand. he let the energy speak for itself, and it did.
and listen — ancelin? favorite character hands down. she wasn’t even the main focus, but her energy? unmatched. the way she showed up for khalida with love, patience, and just enough attitude? we all need an ancelin in our corner. she added levity and heart without ever overpowering the story.
if i had one critique, it’s that i wanted a little more backstory or depth on the spiritual thread — not to explain everything away, but just to add a little extra weight. a twist, a flashback, something. still, the vibe carried.
this was soft paranormal, heavy chemistry, all black everything. aram? 10/10 would absolutely let him ruin my peace in the best way possible.
tropes/themes: black love, supernatural bond, reincarnated soulmates, forced proximity, emotional walls
synopsis :
haunted is a paranormal romance that blends slow-burn chemistry with spiritual tension — all told through christina c. jones’ signature lens of smart, black love. khalida works as a club manager alongside her long-term boyfriend, travis. on the surface, everything looks fine — the job is stable, the relationship is steady — but emotionally? she’s drained. the spark is fading, and their connection feels more like obligation than love. she’s not actively looking for a way out… but she knows something’s missing. then comes aram — intense, watchful, and drawn to her in a way that’s hard to explain. their connection isn’t just strong — it feels like something she’s never experienced but somehow already knows. what khalida doesn’t realize is that this isn’t just chemistry — it’s memory. aram remembers what she hasn’t yet uncovered. their bond runs deeper than either of them understands — spiritual, magnetic, and impossible to ignore.
my thoughts:
this book had me from chapter one. it’s the energy. the tension. that "i don’t know why i’m drawn to you, but i am" kinda vibe that c.c.j. does so well. khalida felt like someone you’d know in real life — she’s not broken or bitter, just tired. tired of the day-to-day with a man who feels more like a coworker than a partner. and baby, when aram came on the scene with that quiet, intense pressure? i knew she wasn’t gonna make it out untouched. and i didn’t want her to.
i love that their chemistry wasn’t just lust — it felt like fate. like they were being pulled toward each other by something bigger than them. the paranormal/spiritual element was just enough to make everything feel elevated without doing the most. you’re not getting ghosts flying around the room, but that “i’ve been here before” energy? thick.
also loved that khalida wasn’t immediately swept — she asked questions, she pushed back, she held her ground. and aram respected that. he wasn’t out here trying to force her hand. he let the energy speak for itself, and it did.
and listen — ancelin? favorite character hands down. she wasn’t even the main focus, but her energy? unmatched. the way she showed up for khalida with love, patience, and just enough attitude? we all need an ancelin in our corner. she added levity and heart without ever overpowering the story.
if i had one critique, it’s that i wanted a little more backstory or depth on the spiritual thread — not to explain everything away, but just to add a little extra weight. a twist, a flashback, something. still, the vibe carried.
this was soft paranormal, heavy chemistry, all black everything. aram? 10/10 would absolutely let him ruin my peace in the best way possible.