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Halloween is for Lovers
Undying love... the scary kind.
A lovelorn ghost has one Halloween night to find the girl he abandoned at the altar and get her to love him again.
Hugh and Lily.
Truly, down deep, they’re in love. So what’s the problem? She won’t forgive him for abandoning her at the altar so she’s moving on and marrying a new guy. That and Hugh’s been dead for three years. But this is true love we’re talking about. The Kingdom of the Dead allows ghosts one Halloween night to cross over to the Land of the Living. There’s a legend that love conquers all, even death. If Hugh can get Lily to forgive him and love him again, he just might come back to life. If he fails? There are things far worse than death awaiting him.
A lovelorn ghost has one Halloween night to find the girl he abandoned at the altar and get her to love him again.
Hugh and Lily.
Truly, down deep, they’re in love. So what’s the problem? She won’t forgive him for abandoning her at the altar so she’s moving on and marrying a new guy. That and Hugh’s been dead for three years. But this is true love we’re talking about. The Kingdom of the Dead allows ghosts one Halloween night to cross over to the Land of the Living. There’s a legend that love conquers all, even death. If Hugh can get Lily to forgive him and love him again, he just might come back to life. If he fails? There are things far worse than death awaiting him.
259 pages, Paperback
First published October 19, 2011
34 people are currently reading
921 people want to read
About the author
Nate Gubin
2 books15 followersNate Gubin is a writer, comedian and handyman living in Boston. He’s performed improv in Los Angeles and Boston and his remodeling skills have been featured in FineHomebuilding Magazine. He’s written several screenplays and has a dark comedy in development. When he's not busy writing, goofin’ or hammering he likes to go on long bike rides and then drink craft beers. Halloween For Lovers is his debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
October 24, 2011
Am I allowed to love my own book? Well I do, but it's a complicated love.
August 15, 2012
I'll admit, in the first few pages in, I thought, "What is this?" Then I got into the groove. And it was fantastic.
I want to see Tim Burton make it into a movie.
I want to see Tim Burton make it into a movie.
November 3, 2011
This was a spooky, but emotional ride. There was a combination between supernatural elements and real human emotions. I felt a strong connection to the main character, which made me care about the story and truly wonder what would happen next. This is a fun book that might just get you thinking about the differences between the dead and the living. It also might scare you about what happens after you die, but that's normal right? I would recommend this book to just about anyone- but be warned that you need to have somewhat of a stomach to take some of the descriptions of the fate that befalls some of the characters. I have a relatively strong constitution but the vivid details (masterfully written, but intense) sometimes made me a little queazy. I think the title is perfect because it lets you know that because it is Halloween there will be a little cookiness and hokiness (sp?) throughout the story- but ultimately it is about love. If you've ever loved and lost a part of you will not be able to put this book down!
May 18, 2012
Although the story was quite slow at first, once you get into it you don't want to stop reading.
This is a story about Hugh, a guy that had the inconvenience of dying the day he was going to get married (originally, he was running away, but then decided to go back) and now has to spend eternity in the utmost misery in the Kingdom of death. However, all that changes when he is told by his friend Ana that maybe, MAYBE, there's a chance for him to see his bride again, and -if she really loves him- he may even get to live again.
Will he make it? Does she still love him after leaving her at the altar and dying? Will he fail and have to spend eternity in a place far worse than the Kingdom?
While there are a few moments where I felt the author rushed things up (I caught myself checking weather I had skipped a page), I really enjoyed this book, I laughed a lot, I got really nervous in certain passages and al in all, I had a great time reading this book :)
This is a story about Hugh, a guy that had the inconvenience of dying the day he was going to get married (originally, he was running away, but then decided to go back) and now has to spend eternity in the utmost misery in the Kingdom of death. However, all that changes when he is told by his friend Ana that maybe, MAYBE, there's a chance for him to see his bride again, and -if she really loves him- he may even get to live again.
Will he make it? Does she still love him after leaving her at the altar and dying? Will he fail and have to spend eternity in a place far worse than the Kingdom?
While there are a few moments where I felt the author rushed things up (I caught myself checking weather I had skipped a page), I really enjoyed this book, I laughed a lot, I got really nervous in certain passages and al in all, I had a great time reading this book :)
November 4, 2012
I loved it! When I began reading it I thought it began on a weird note. The more I read the more it pulled me in. It had a different pull than any other book I read. Very cute and it makes you believe in true love and a happily ever after. I recommend this book to anyone who would like something new and fun to read. I notice I'm suppose to disclose I won this book here on goodreads. To be honest this does not change my review in the slightest. I'm honest in my opinion and free or not if it sucked I would have stated that. Give it a read and see if you don't. Agree with me. :)
September 29, 2014
Wow, I loved this crazy book.
It's how I imagine the love child of Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, Tim Burton, Matt Groening and a Harlequin romance novelist with a psychedelic drug addiction would be.
How else can I describe a book that has Hallowe'en, Life, Death, Love, Loss, hatred, happiness, alcoholic vagrants, narcissistic psychotic madmen, jealous bridesmaids, weddings, the horrible vents of hell, cowboy reapers, and pegasi all within its pages??
Bravo, Mr. Gubin, bravo.
p.s. Don't skip the prologue. It's CLASSIC.
It's how I imagine the love child of Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, Tim Burton, Matt Groening and a Harlequin romance novelist with a psychedelic drug addiction would be.
How else can I describe a book that has Hallowe'en, Life, Death, Love, Loss, hatred, happiness, alcoholic vagrants, narcissistic psychotic madmen, jealous bridesmaids, weddings, the horrible vents of hell, cowboy reapers, and pegasi all within its pages??
Bravo, Mr. Gubin, bravo.
p.s. Don't skip the prologue. It's CLASSIC.
November 12, 2012
While completely silly and deliberately farcical and over-the-top at times, I enjoyed the witty humor of this book about true sacrificial love. It was written with tongue firmly in cheek and if you can willingly suspend disbelief and enter this world of hell, zombies, and Halloween, you'll apprecite this cute, whimsical love story.
November 18, 2012
I picked this book for my Halloween read. It was different, but I liked it. It had some gore, but not bad. Fun to have a love story between the dead and the living.
October 4, 2012
Hugh has been dead for three years. He is unhappy with his undead state and wants to be alive again. He discovers that there is a chance for that to happen if he can go back to the world of the living for one night on Halloween and see if his fiancé, Lily, whom he ditched at the alter the day he died, still loves him. If she does then he will once again return to life and love. In his way are the leader of the underworld, Crain, some grim reapers, a firey pit of doom and Lily's new fiancé.
I really appreciated the authors sense of humor with this book. It is not your typical spooky Halloween story nor is it a classical romance. It has likeable (though not particularly in depth) characters and a few oddball ones thrown in to help the story along. It was a nicechange and a good easy read.
I really appreciated the authors sense of humor with this book. It is not your typical spooky Halloween story nor is it a classical romance. It has likeable (though not particularly in depth) characters and a few oddball ones thrown in to help the story along. It was a nicechange and a good easy read.
October 25, 2015
This is one crazy Halloween story. If I had to give it a category, I wouldn't know where to put it. It's a love story; it's a ghost story; some may even say in a way it is a zombie story. Hugh is dead, no question about that and we get to see the place where he has ended up --- the land of the dead. Hugh is a lovable character who believes in love and the power of love to conquer all. He is one of the few dead to get a chance to haunt the living on Halloween night. Rather than haunting, Hugh wants to see his true love because he died with her thinking he had left her. Her new fiance is a hoot. Hugh's adventures in the land of the living were the funniest parts to me. He keeps going down but getting up again because after all, he is already dead so he can't be killed.
July 7, 2012
Hugh never had a whole lot going for him but now that he's dead he has even less. He got cold feet the day of his wedding, drove the way out of town, came to his senses and turned back. But then in his haste to get back in time, he collided with another vehicle in a fatal crash. After having been dead 3 years, he discovers that the dead may petition to return for one night and there is the slightest chance that he could get his life and love back. This had a nice swiftly moving plot, great characters and a good dose of humor. It was a pretty quick read, but the time that I spent reading this delightful book were quite pleasurable hours. I heartily recommend this book.
October 27, 2012
Basically this whole book is one entire WTF. Sure, there are good bits. There's some funny humor, it deals with Halloween and I really did like two of the main characters (Morton and Hugh) but other than that, bah. Even free... I just can't recommend it. There are three different essential narrators and only one of them makes sense, the first two... I'm still a bit lost on. The story is disjointed and bumbling. I like some aspects of the story and I DID finish it so I suppose that is worth something but there are better Halloween stories out there to explore.
September 4, 2012
It starts off very very odd- and then gets weirder! It's a love story and a horror story combined and would no doubt make a fantastic movie! Even the hardest of hearts will cry at the end and turn to mush-- but it is an amazing story of love gone right! :) Read it with a hankie!
October 26, 2012
perfect for a quick Halloween read. The way the describe the kingdom of the dead seriously makes u feel depressed....excellent book for putting ur emotions threw the paces.... :) cant say to much becuase i dont want to give away the ending. :)
November 4, 2012
I downloaded this book so I'd have something to read over
Halloween. It was a cute story, fun to read. A very quick read.
I did find it to start out slow and it lagged in some parts but
overall it was a pretty good read. Good for Halloween.
Halloween. It was a cute story, fun to read. A very quick read.
I did find it to start out slow and it lagged in some parts but
overall it was a pretty good read. Good for Halloween.
August 23, 2012
I thought this book was a riot! I love the off-the-wall elaborations and snarky humor.
March 7, 2017
Christopher Moore style Halloween romp.
October 22, 2012
This was very funny. I loved the quirky characters.
November 27, 2015
This is a sweet little romance. This book shows that true love conquers all. I love how even though Hugh died on his way back to his wedding that he was able to come back because his love was true.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2016
This was just eh for me.
October 21, 2019
Recommend
Even some very good to read books have plots like a thousand others but this is a stand apart. In a grey world of hopelessness comes a tiny touch of hope that could bring joy where there is none. Reaching for the only chance to bring happiness to the dead becomes almost impossible before the dawn approaches Despite all the gloom and doom there were places where I smiled so hard it turned into a belly laugh
Even some very good to read books have plots like a thousand others but this is a stand apart. In a grey world of hopelessness comes a tiny touch of hope that could bring joy where there is none. Reaching for the only chance to bring happiness to the dead becomes almost impossible before the dawn approaches Despite all the gloom and doom there were places where I smiled so hard it turned into a belly laugh
October 30, 2018
Cute! Silly and quirky.
I am giving this 4 stars for how much I enjoyed it. It fits in with silly stories like Army of Darkness, Second Hand Souls, and the like. A fun Halloween read that doesn't really dig too deap.
I am giving this 4 stars for how much I enjoyed it. It fits in with silly stories like Army of Darkness, Second Hand Souls, and the like. A fun Halloween read that doesn't really dig too deap.
October 12, 2019
This is one of the books that I’ve had on my kindle the longest and I’m happy that I finally got to it! It’s super weird and unique and nothing like what I expected. The world that this author created is very interesting and I really enjoyed myself while reading about it.
November 1, 2017
Cute. Love truly does conquers all, and you should always be nice to people, do unto to others kind of thing. Karma always comes around.
October 28, 2014
Halloween is for Lovers
by Nate Gubin
I picked this book based on the title, having never read any other works by the author and having never heard anything about the book other than the Amazon.com write-up. It was an easy and quick read. Now I just have to decide whether I like it or not!
It certainly was quirky, as the title suggested. It was fitting for the season, as I read it Halloween week, there were only a couple of grammar or proofreading slips (1 used 4 times), the characters were nicely written, and the book is full of humor (and, I think maybe a little political jabbing). That I liked.
I liked his play on words throughout; the one that stood out to me the most being the reference to the foal of a pegasus horse being a pegonie. I liked the characterization of Steve, the resident megalomaniac, including his persistent use of the word irregardless, despite being told by every character he says it to that it is incorrect. I always get a kick out of references to pop culture and this book included some, including Star Trek, The Wizard of Oz, Sliders, and the World Wrestling Federation.
The grammar/proofing errors? At 167 on my Kindle, the run together word forseven. Four times in the book characters say "what's a matter" and as four different characters utter it, I couldn't decide if the author was attempting a regional dialect or just didn't know better.
The story itself is fine. It's based on the idea that the veil between the living and dead is thinnest on All Hallows Eve. It has the dead (all dead, evidently, no matter what religion, whether they led good or not so good lives, were rich or poor, etc.)existing in a sort of limbo everafter -- one that is devoid of any kind of interest, joy, love or hope. Reapers riding on pegasus horses collect souls, and for the uncooperative or rebellious spirits, there is a never-ending, tortuous fall through a vent. Once a year, on Halloween of course, the ruling counsel allows some souls to pass to the land of the living to haunt. The main character, Hugh, wants desperately to cross over to find his former fiance, Lily, to tell her he loves her. Hugh got cold feet on his wedding day, left Lily at the alter, and, realizing that he'd made a mistake, attempted to return, only to die in a car crash on his way back to the church. He believes that if he can just tell her he loves her and she still loves him, he can become human again and all will be well.
There are some high points, although the storyline is pretty predictable. I think, perhaps, that is on purpose, with the point of the story being the telling of it, not the premise or the outcome.
For me, the best part of the entire book is Hugh and Morton's struggle with Leroy (the baddest of the Reapers) and his pegasus, Grizly. When he could have allowed the destruction of the horse, Hugh chose to save her, and, of course, there is payback that, while predictable, is still fun.
I guess this just wasn't my cup of tea, because although I enjoyed the story, I had to make myself pick it up to read. Once I was reading it, I was fine and found it interesting, but not so interesting that I sought to make a time to sit down and read and not so interesting that I was wondering, while I wasn't reading, what was going to happen. One way to put it would be that I just didn't have a need to finish the story and only did finish it because I hate to not finish a book.
A nice, fun, quirky story and I'm sure others would rate it higher than I have.
by Nate Gubin
I picked this book based on the title, having never read any other works by the author and having never heard anything about the book other than the Amazon.com write-up. It was an easy and quick read. Now I just have to decide whether I like it or not!
It certainly was quirky, as the title suggested. It was fitting for the season, as I read it Halloween week, there were only a couple of grammar or proofreading slips (1 used 4 times), the characters were nicely written, and the book is full of humor (and, I think maybe a little political jabbing). That I liked.
I liked his play on words throughout; the one that stood out to me the most being the reference to the foal of a pegasus horse being a pegonie. I liked the characterization of Steve, the resident megalomaniac, including his persistent use of the word irregardless, despite being told by every character he says it to that it is incorrect. I always get a kick out of references to pop culture and this book included some, including Star Trek, The Wizard of Oz, Sliders, and the World Wrestling Federation.
The grammar/proofing errors? At 167 on my Kindle, the run together word forseven. Four times in the book characters say "what's a matter" and as four different characters utter it, I couldn't decide if the author was attempting a regional dialect or just didn't know better.
The story itself is fine. It's based on the idea that the veil between the living and dead is thinnest on All Hallows Eve. It has the dead (all dead, evidently, no matter what religion, whether they led good or not so good lives, were rich or poor, etc.)existing in a sort of limbo everafter -- one that is devoid of any kind of interest, joy, love or hope. Reapers riding on pegasus horses collect souls, and for the uncooperative or rebellious spirits, there is a never-ending, tortuous fall through a vent. Once a year, on Halloween of course, the ruling counsel allows some souls to pass to the land of the living to haunt. The main character, Hugh, wants desperately to cross over to find his former fiance, Lily, to tell her he loves her. Hugh got cold feet on his wedding day, left Lily at the alter, and, realizing that he'd made a mistake, attempted to return, only to die in a car crash on his way back to the church. He believes that if he can just tell her he loves her and she still loves him, he can become human again and all will be well.
There are some high points, although the storyline is pretty predictable. I think, perhaps, that is on purpose, with the point of the story being the telling of it, not the premise or the outcome.
For me, the best part of the entire book is Hugh and Morton's struggle with Leroy (the baddest of the Reapers) and his pegasus, Grizly. When he could have allowed the destruction of the horse, Hugh chose to save her, and, of course, there is payback that, while predictable, is still fun.
I guess this just wasn't my cup of tea, because although I enjoyed the story, I had to make myself pick it up to read. Once I was reading it, I was fine and found it interesting, but not so interesting that I sought to make a time to sit down and read and not so interesting that I was wondering, while I wasn't reading, what was going to happen. One way to put it would be that I just didn't have a need to finish the story and only did finish it because I hate to not finish a book.
A nice, fun, quirky story and I'm sure others would rate it higher than I have.
October 23, 2013
Also posted to Jen in Bookland
This book was fun to read. I wasn't sure what to make of it at the start, but then it turned into this ridiculous fun over the top silly book. It starts off kind of dark and creepy and I loved it. Very Wes Anderson like. I really enjoyed the description of the underground land of the dead, even though it is sad to think that everyone goes to this sad no hope no happiness just drudge through the afterlife place once you die. It was an interesting world and I liked the main character, Hugh.
Hugh never gave up on his love for Lily, and so he finally finds a way to escape to tell her he still loves her and that is when everything starts going wrong in a hilarious way. It kind of reminded me of Christopher Moore in how silly and ridiculous it was. Everything was just so much crazy. Hugh is not a ghost that can walk through walls and such so he gets hurt and beat up and by the time he sees Lily is probably not looking too good. Then her fiance is just so crazy! Like crazy crazy and oh it was just fun. It was not what I was expecting from this book. I really read it because Halloween is one of the least romantic holidays for me and I wanted to see a love story set at Halloween. Instead I got this pretty funny love story set at Halloween, which was way better than it would have been.
This book was fun to read. I wasn't sure what to make of it at the start, but then it turned into this ridiculous fun over the top silly book. It starts off kind of dark and creepy and I loved it. Very Wes Anderson like. I really enjoyed the description of the underground land of the dead, even though it is sad to think that everyone goes to this sad no hope no happiness just drudge through the afterlife place once you die. It was an interesting world and I liked the main character, Hugh.
Hugh never gave up on his love for Lily, and so he finally finds a way to escape to tell her he still loves her and that is when everything starts going wrong in a hilarious way. It kind of reminded me of Christopher Moore in how silly and ridiculous it was. Everything was just so much crazy. Hugh is not a ghost that can walk through walls and such so he gets hurt and beat up and by the time he sees Lily is probably not looking too good. Then her fiance is just so crazy! Like crazy crazy and oh it was just fun. It was not what I was expecting from this book. I really read it because Halloween is one of the least romantic holidays for me and I wanted to see a love story set at Halloween. Instead I got this pretty funny love story set at Halloween, which was way better than it would have been.
December 15, 2014
I absolutely loved the premise for Halloween is for Lovers. Hugh has been dead for a little while, but he can't let go of his love for Lily. Then there's a posting for a haunting audition: whoever is selected, gets to return to the land of the living for one night. Hugh isn't very scary, but he's desperate to get back to Lily and explain why he left and tell her how much he still loves her. Well, his audition goes abysmally, but the judges overhear him talking about true love. They decide to send him, in hopes that he'll fail at his mission, coming back even more depressed than before. Death is really messed up realm, if you were wondering.
Halloween is for Lovers was great until Hugh has to face Lily's new fiance. I loved the author's idea of death. It's dark and boring, and just not a place you want to go. I also really liked how everyone just assumed that Hugh had an epic costume, rather than being actually dead and dirty. It was quite funny. But, crazy fiance Dr. Steve just lost me. It wasn't my kind of humor at all. It was very over-the-top and bizarre, and took me out of Hugh's journey.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
Halloween is for Lovers was great until Hugh has to face Lily's new fiance. I loved the author's idea of death. It's dark and boring, and just not a place you want to go. I also really liked how everyone just assumed that Hugh had an epic costume, rather than being actually dead and dirty. It was quite funny. But, crazy fiance Dr. Steve just lost me. It wasn't my kind of humor at all. It was very over-the-top and bizarre, and took me out of Hugh's journey.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
March 11, 2012
This book was a bit Christopher Moore, a bit Tim Burton and a bit of uniqueness all the author's own. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started, but found myself amused by the plot (which was sillier than I expected).
A few inconsistencies- there's a gloomy sort of feel for the first part of this book, before Hugh heads back to the land of the living to find Lily. Once he is back in the real world, the plot turns very silly and humorous, which threw me a bit. I liked the humor, but felt it could have been tied throughout the book a bit better- the change in tone was a bit too drastic.
That being said, I enjoyed the story- it was a fun read with a sort of sweetness about it all.
A few inconsistencies- there's a gloomy sort of feel for the first part of this book, before Hugh heads back to the land of the living to find Lily. Once he is back in the real world, the plot turns very silly and humorous, which threw me a bit. I liked the humor, but felt it could have been tied throughout the book a bit better- the change in tone was a bit too drastic.
That being said, I enjoyed the story- it was a fun read with a sort of sweetness about it all.
June 22, 2015
I kept thinking this book should have been better than it was. The main character, Hugh, and his companion who joined him in the middle of the book, Morton, were wonderful. The love interest in the story, Lily, just turned me off; I could find very little that was sympathetic about her. The other characters were too one-dimensional and over-the-top in comparison to Hugh and Morton.
The pacing dragged in the middle. I almost abandoned the book halfway through.
The initial set up was intriguing. There were some very droll turns of phrases, especially in the beginning. But it felt as if the author lost steam as he progressed.
Nonetheless, I was smiling at the ending, hence the three stars.
The pacing dragged in the middle. I almost abandoned the book halfway through.
The initial set up was intriguing. There were some very droll turns of phrases, especially in the beginning. But it felt as if the author lost steam as he progressed.
Nonetheless, I was smiling at the ending, hence the three stars.
December 15, 2011
I won a free copy of this book through first reads. Thanks!
The thing I loved most about this book was the description of the Kingdom of the Dead. In my mind, it looked like something that could have come out of a Tim Burton film, which is awesome.
A book like this, about love continuing after death, could be serious and depressing. But with a bumbling dead fiance, an insane (and I do mean insane) new fiance, an alcoholic sidekick, a bitchy maid of honor, and an opera-loving gatekeeper, it was anything but serious. Some of it was a little depressing, but there were moments that made me giggle.
Anyway, it's a fun book with a lot of real emotions in it.
Love reigns supreme!
The thing I loved most about this book was the description of the Kingdom of the Dead. In my mind, it looked like something that could have come out of a Tim Burton film, which is awesome.
A book like this, about love continuing after death, could be serious and depressing. But with a bumbling dead fiance, an insane (and I do mean insane) new fiance, an alcoholic sidekick, a bitchy maid of honor, and an opera-loving gatekeeper, it was anything but serious. Some of it was a little depressing, but there were moments that made me giggle.
Anyway, it's a fun book with a lot of real emotions in it.
Love reigns supreme!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews