I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Haunted Ever After Series: Boneyard Key #1 by Jen DeLuca
Published by Berkley on August 13, 2024
Genres: Adult Paranormal Romance
Pages: 352
Source: the publisher
Format: E-galley
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Also by this author: Well Met , Well Played , Well Matched
My Rating:
Blurb:
It’s love at first haunting in a seaside town that raises everyone’s spirits from USA Todaybestselling author Jen DeLuca.
Small Florida coastal towns often find themselves scrambling for the tourism dollars that the Orlando theme parks leave behind. And within the town limits of Boneyard Key, the residents decided long ago to lean into its ghostliness. Nick Royer, owner of the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, embraces the ghost tourism that keeps the local economy afloat, as well as his spectral roommate. At least he doesn’t have to run air-conditioning.
Cassie Rutherford possibly overreacted to all her friends getting married and having kids by leaving Orlando and buying a flipped historic cottage in Boneyard Key. Though there’s something unusual with her new home (her laptop won’t charge in any outlets, and the poetry magnets on her fridge definitely didn’t read “WRONG” and “MY HOUSE” when she put them up), she’s charmed by the colorful history surrounding her. And she’s catching a certain vibe from the grumpy coffee shop owner whenever he slips her a free slice of banana bread along with her coffee order.
As Nick takes her on a ghost tour, sharing town gossip that tourists don’t get to hear, and they spend nights side-by-side looking into the former owners of her haunted cottage, their connection solidifies into something very real and enticing. But Cassie’s worried she’s in too deep with this whole (haunted) home ownership thing… and Nick’s afraid to get too close in case Cassie gets scared away for good.
My Review
I really enjoyed this author’s Well Met series, although I still need to read the last one! So this one with the paranormal aspect to it really sounded good and I was excited to read it! I really did enjoy this new series started too!
I loved the idea of this little island town that is a haunted place, supposedly one of the most haunted towns in Florida for the story? But anyway, I totally connect with Cassie and her feelings of her friends moving on and getting married and how you start to feel left out because you don’t have those same things in common anymore. I also liked Nick, and loved his texting with his “roomie” Elmer. The two of them were fun and I enjoyed Nick taking Cassie on a little tour of the town, as well as her official ghost tour with one of the other characters. One I could possibly see getting her own book in this series I’m hoping?
Cassie communicated with the ghost in her house with those little magnetic poetry words, and I loved it! One line that cracked me up, and I heard like it was the Jaws movie line: “She was going to need a bigger fridge.” You know, more room for the ghost to make sentences, etc. All the haunted stuff in her house was so unique, in fact a lot of the things the author used in this story were really good. Like the beach ghost, and leaving him an open beer. The spot in town that was just really really cold, always. The cemetery island, and so much other stuff! And I loved the reason Cassie’s laptop wouldn’t charge when she plugged it in!
While this story started with our out-of-towner/new resident Cassie, I look forward to seeing some of the regulars/original family characters getting their own HEAs in future books, I hope. The only reason I don’t give this is a 5, is for a little bit of miscommunication, which was kind of cleared up at one point in the story, in a way that it wasn’t really that. And then the third person aspect, as that is never a favorite with me in romance. Other than that, I loved this story!
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I also enjoyed the author’s RenFaire series so I might enjoy this. Glad you liked this one. Nice review!
You probably would enjoy this one too!
I really enjoyed this one, too! I think solving the ghost mystery was my favorite part. Fab review, Lisa!
Agreed! The ghosts were some of the most fun characters at times!
OOh nice! I’ve been getting curious about this one! I love a good story involving ghosts and romance! I’ve been wondering if this one would have a lot of “ghost” action or if it’s merely a background feature. Starting to think it might be something I’d enjoy and will have to add to my list soon! Great review!
I mean the ghosts aren’t the main characters, but they are a big part of the story! And for the most part, they aren’t scary though, except one!
I love the sound of this, especially if it’s the start to a series. Awesome review, Lisa!
It was pretty good! I can’t wait for more.