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Saranormal #2
Haunted Memories
In this second installment of a paranormal series, Sara’s ready to fall in love—if the ghost standing in her way will allow it! Sara has settled in to her new hometown of Stellamar and even made a good friend in Lily Randazzo. Now it’s time to start school, and Sara has her first psychic vision. In the vision, she sees herself with a cute stranger—and when she starts school a few days later, she meets him. His name is Jayden Mendes, and Sara knows with complete certainty that he is destined to be her first boyfriend. But there’s something else Sara knows about Jayden: He has a ghostly companion who stays by his side at all times. The ghost seems intent on keeping Sara and Jayden apart. Who is this ghost, and what is his problem with Sara? What secrets does Jayden hold—and will these secrets keep Sara from falling in love?
176 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 2012
26 people are currently reading
348 people want to read
About the author
Phoebe Rivers
26 books49 followersPhoebe Rivers had a brush with the paranormal when she was thirteen years old, and ever since then, she has been fascinated by people who see spirits and can communicate with them. In addition to her intrigue with all things paranormal, Phoebe also loves cats, French cuisine, and wiling her afternoons away in coffee shops writing stories. Phoebe has written dozens of middle-grade fiction books and is thrilled to now be exploring Sara’s paranormal world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 17, 2012
Once again we meet Sarah, a 12 year old girl who has moved across the US with her dad to start a new job. She starts school in this book and is lucky to have met Lily during the summer to help her make friends. She also meets the "tall, dark, stranger" that she was told she would meet. He happens to be her lab partner in science. She goes through the same kinds of things that girls do at this age, getting along with others, doing their school work, and meeting guys. She is signed up to run for the Harvest Queen, but does not want to do it. A ghost wants her to so she can feel like she won the crown so she can move on. This is a fun read, keeps your attention, and moves along. In the end, she has a new mission, the dead brother who is following the guy she likes, but the ghost won't let her get close to him. Anxious to read the next installments. Easy to read, good for ages 10 and up.
May 27, 2013
Being a psychic may seem like a cool thing. But to Sara, it is most definitely not. She and her dad have moved to a town that seems to have more than enough ghosts in it. But Sara is determined to be normal. She has a vision of a really cute boy and she is sure that the two of them belong together. But when she meets him, she finds that he has a ghost attached to him. A ghost that doesn’t seem to want Sara in his life.
March 31, 2014
Haunted Memories is a great second installment in the Saranormal series. Seeing and speaking to dead people at her new school does nothing to ease Sara's self-consciousness of being the new girl. Lady Azura is becoming a trusted source of guidance as Sara continues to struggle to understand her ability.
Overall, a nice transition from the first book that shows Sara adjusting to life in NJ and learning more about her power to see and help the dead.
Overall, a nice transition from the first book that shows Sara adjusting to life in NJ and learning more about her power to see and help the dead.
January 14, 2017
Not quite as well-paced and intriguing as the first in the series, but still enjoyable. Really loved the historical aspect involved. This particular storyline resolved, but leaves some events open for next in the series. Looking forward to it!
June 22, 2021
This was a solid follow-up to the first book. While these aren't as spooky as some of the other mid-grade spooky I've read, I do enjoy that this is a series about a single character so we get to spend more time with Sara and enjoy her world.
I love getting to learn more of the backstory and I'm interested to see what happens in the next book!
I love getting to learn more of the backstory and I'm interested to see what happens in the next book!
August 25, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book. Looking forward to read the rest of the series.
December 29, 2019
magnificent !!!
September 30, 2020
Better than the first one and had a more picked up pace, really cute
September 13, 2021
Same as the Saranormal #1. Neither too good nor too boring.
June 10, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
June 15, 2023
Very OG type of young teen girl book about a girl who can see ghost she goes to a new school very easy and fun quick book to read
March 10, 2024
That was a super fun middle grade read!
October 29, 2025
Oooo the romance with jaden begins! Justice for alice
July 20, 2015
Bad review, but it's late. I'll try to get around to fixing it up in the future. Especially where it turns into a rant (Sorry!).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sara is starting her first day of middle school after moving across country with her father to a little town on the U.S. East coast. Like it isn't hard enough making new friends and settling into a new school, Sara has to deal with the various ghosts that surround her without anyone finding out about her unique talents.
Her attempts at remaining un-noticed are challenged from day 1 when she has a run in with the ghost of a punny gym instructor in the middle of the cafeteria, followed by a run in with a hostile ghost that just happens to be haunting Sara's crush. And to top things off, someone decides to enter Sara into the running for title of Harvest Queen!
I thought "Haunted Memories" wasn't bad, but it really didn't catch my interest as much as the first book did. Not because of the writing either - it's written for a lower grade level, and that's fine. I liked the first book despite the writing - the problem really was the content.
I'm probably in the minority, but I don't get why so many authors seem to think romance is mandated in the plot of their books. It's not like you can't have a story with out it. And I can see it working in the series - Sara is at the age where she's pretty much past the cooties stage. It's not unexpected that she'd be getting crushes and such. But pretty much every single author feels the need to add it - you can't escape it. The way it's presented doesn't help - it just seems like it's so rushed. The insta-love approach is rarely a good one, And Sara having a vision of her future suitor ahead of time doesn't make it a good plot move. It doesn't make sense realistically - she might know that the two of them have a possibility for a connection, but he sure doesn't and things develop in what seems like a very quick manner.
The whole story feels rushed, really - it feels like the events of the book take place over the course of maybe two weeks, at most. In that time we're presented with three new mysteries to figure out, new friendships, drama at home with Lady Azula, keeping her sixth sense under her dad's radar, and a new crush to deal with. That's a lot to handle all at once.
One other irritation about the plot - I get that it's for younger girls, but why does every author feel the need to automatically make it pretty much stereotypically girly? When I was around 10 (which I'm guessing is around the intended audience age) I wasn't interested in plots where the main carrying points were boys, makeup, etc. I wanted stories where something exciting was actually happening.
It's one thing to have romance and such in the story as an aside, but you have to have an actual story in the foreground. Give us a character who is doing something interesting, like have Sara work out the mystery and figure out how to help the ghost herself - not focus entirely on a new crush, with the mystery falling to the way-side to the point that someone else solves things. If it's not a romance novel, the romance should be a side-plot, not the main focus. It seems like it's getting harder and harder to find stuff to read that doesn't seem shallow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sara is starting her first day of middle school after moving across country with her father to a little town on the U.S. East coast. Like it isn't hard enough making new friends and settling into a new school, Sara has to deal with the various ghosts that surround her without anyone finding out about her unique talents.
Her attempts at remaining un-noticed are challenged from day 1 when she has a run in with the ghost of a punny gym instructor in the middle of the cafeteria, followed by a run in with a hostile ghost that just happens to be haunting Sara's crush. And to top things off, someone decides to enter Sara into the running for title of Harvest Queen!
I thought "Haunted Memories" wasn't bad, but it really didn't catch my interest as much as the first book did. Not because of the writing either - it's written for a lower grade level, and that's fine. I liked the first book despite the writing - the problem really was the content.
I'm probably in the minority, but I don't get why so many authors seem to think romance is mandated in the plot of their books. It's not like you can't have a story with out it. And I can see it working in the series - Sara is at the age where she's pretty much past the cooties stage. It's not unexpected that she'd be getting crushes and such. But pretty much every single author feels the need to add it - you can't escape it. The way it's presented doesn't help - it just seems like it's so rushed. The insta-love approach is rarely a good one, And Sara having a vision of her future suitor ahead of time doesn't make it a good plot move. It doesn't make sense realistically - she might know that the two of them have a possibility for a connection, but he sure doesn't and things develop in what seems like a very quick manner.
The whole story feels rushed, really - it feels like the events of the book take place over the course of maybe two weeks, at most. In that time we're presented with three new mysteries to figure out, new friendships, drama at home with Lady Azula, keeping her sixth sense under her dad's radar, and a new crush to deal with. That's a lot to handle all at once.
One other irritation about the plot - I get that it's for younger girls, but why does every author feel the need to automatically make it pretty much stereotypically girly? When I was around 10 (which I'm guessing is around the intended audience age) I wasn't interested in plots where the main carrying points were boys, makeup, etc. I wanted stories where something exciting was actually happening.
It's one thing to have romance and such in the story as an aside, but you have to have an actual story in the foreground. Give us a character who is doing something interesting, like have Sara work out the mystery and figure out how to help the ghost herself - not focus entirely on a new crush, with the mystery falling to the way-side to the point that someone else solves things. If it's not a romance novel, the romance should be a side-plot, not the main focus. It seems like it's getting harder and harder to find stuff to read that doesn't seem shallow.
August 25, 2014
This is the second in a middle grade series about Sara, a 12 year old girl who hears and sees ghosts. Sara has just finally started making friends after a big move with her dad, and she doesn’t want to seem anything but normal, so she continues keeping her secret from everyone. She’s also met a new boy, Jayden, who she’s starting to really like. There’s a mysterious ghost that always stands around him though, pushing Sara away. Can she figure out who the ghost is and why he doesn’t want Sara getting too close? Or can she figure out who signed her up to run for the middle school’s Harvest Queen, even though she has no desire to run? Follow Sara as she figures out all new mysteries in this addition to the Saranormal series!
I feel much the same about this installment in the Saranormal series as I did about the first one, Ghost Town. It was very cute, and just what I was looking for: a fun, light, middle grade read. I liked the spooky factor, and the building suspense and drama. I think middle grade readers (whom this story is intended for) will be on the edge of their seats for much of this story. I liked that this book continued with the same cast of characters, and that I got to know them more. I also liked the addition of some new friends, and a love interest for Sara. It has themes of fitting in, friendship, jealousy, and first crushes. An ideal read for middle grade students who are seeking a fun read with a little bit of creep factor, I would recommend this series. Please note, my rating is based on my own personal enjoyment of this story – fun, cute, but not mind-blowing – however, I do believe it would be a huge hit with the younger crowd! I will be continuing on with this series when I am in the mood for a quick read.
I feel much the same about this installment in the Saranormal series as I did about the first one, Ghost Town. It was very cute, and just what I was looking for: a fun, light, middle grade read. I liked the spooky factor, and the building suspense and drama. I think middle grade readers (whom this story is intended for) will be on the edge of their seats for much of this story. I liked that this book continued with the same cast of characters, and that I got to know them more. I also liked the addition of some new friends, and a love interest for Sara. It has themes of fitting in, friendship, jealousy, and first crushes. An ideal read for middle grade students who are seeking a fun read with a little bit of creep factor, I would recommend this series. Please note, my rating is based on my own personal enjoyment of this story – fun, cute, but not mind-blowing – however, I do believe it would be a huge hit with the younger crowd! I will be continuing on with this series when I am in the mood for a quick read.
November 17, 2012
The second book in the Saranormal series begins when Sara Collins transfer to a new school in Stellamar. She's nervous about the people in the school and how they would react to her. She hopes that the boys in her dreams, her visions would be there but unfortunately, he is not. Someone or something signs her up for harvest queen in the pageant that's coming up in school and she later realizes that another ghost needs her help. She embarrasses herself to help the ghost and fins out about her mother's death. Unfortunately, the ghost doesn't know anything and Sara is left wondering.
I picked up this book because I wanted to read something to do with ghosts. I finished this book because I wanted to know if she would ever know what really happened to her mother and I wanted to see if there would be a happy ending so that I could be content.
I would recommend this book to people who've read Shade because it also has ghosts in it along with a girl who could see them. There's also a mysterious boy in the mist. It's like Shade but mixed with a bit of grief and tragedy over the unknown death of her mother. An amazing novel filed with genres no one would think could work together.
I picked up this book because I wanted to read something to do with ghosts. I finished this book because I wanted to know if she would ever know what really happened to her mother and I wanted to see if there would be a happy ending so that I could be content.
I would recommend this book to people who've read Shade because it also has ghosts in it along with a girl who could see them. There's also a mysterious boy in the mist. It's like Shade but mixed with a bit of grief and tragedy over the unknown death of her mother. An amazing novel filed with genres no one would think could work together.
May 7, 2012
This wonderful follow-up to "Ghost Town" finds Sara Collins still hiding her ghost-seeing abilities from her father. Sara wants, more than anything, to be normal, but it's her seeming normalcy that gets her in the running for Harvest Queen in her new middle school. In "Haunted Memories," Sara learns that she is not the only one who can see and communicate with ghosts. It doesn't make her much happier, but it gives her more courage to deal with her abilities and the spirits that haunt her. When Sara is actually able to feel the emotions of one of the ghosts -- Alice's deep sadness -- she realizes that she is the only one who can help end this spirit's suffering. One of the best parts of this book is that while Sara's friends don't know about her abilities, they never judge her for her sometimes strange behavior (caused by ghosts). The hilarious scene when the Harvest Queen contestants give their speeches (or non-speeches) is not to be missed. Can't wait for the next book.
October 7, 2016
Sarah is relay realtor in her town and she is gonna be starting school and she is exampled and she gets to meat everyone again and she is happy and few days pas on and it is school time and she was started to have some forehands and she leaf in love with this stranger and she was relay into this guy and the guy was rely Jenner and she said in front of the guy l love you and they started to talk a lot but one night she jaded thigh Honorable dream and she was relay scars. Te more she starter to see that guy she jaded cabochon of mite mares and she never liker the tine mares and she was trig to get raid of the guy and she didn't want him Moreno and they bros up and she was real scar and she never saw that guy ever in his life.
November 17, 2016
Saranormal is about a girl named Sara Collins and she is going into a new school and with some new friends that she doesn't know yet...how will the kids be like will they be mean or nice? So many things are going and popping up with something new for the school. But also a spirit needs help from Sara something very important...But what will Sara do...??If you want to know what will Sara do next then read this book to find out. I recommend this book who like mystery books.
- Evelyn B.
- Evelyn B.
February 20, 2015
Let's just say - Saranormal is my type of book.
Ghost stories? Who doesn't like them? But this book isn't a lot different with the 1st book, just that Sara signed up for Harvest Queen when she didn't. A ghost did. Alice had died and wanted Sara to be Harvest Queen. And she became Harvest Queen. And the love business is definitely a no-no.
And Lady Azura told her that she knew what Sara could do. But actually, Sara just gave herself away by saying Tomatoes.
This book wasn't really captivating or attractive to me. But I'll still continue the series. It's not that bad after all.
Ghost stories? Who doesn't like them? But this book isn't a lot different with the 1st book, just that Sara signed up for Harvest Queen when she didn't. A ghost did. Alice had died and wanted Sara to be Harvest Queen. And she became Harvest Queen. And the love business is definitely a no-no.
And Lady Azura told her that she knew what Sara could do. But actually, Sara just gave herself away by saying Tomatoes.
This book wasn't really captivating or attractive to me. But I'll still continue the series. It's not that bad after all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2013
Okay, this was a pretty good one. Sara is pushed into running for Harvest Queen by a ghost of a girl who died before she could run. She also meets Jayden, but he has issues only Sara can see. Lady Azura also has a secret.
Sara's world continues to get bigger with each book. There are more dynamics and characters involved in her world (both living and dead).
It seems this is turning into a great and easy series to read.
4.5 stars.
Sara's world continues to get bigger with each book. There are more dynamics and characters involved in her world (both living and dead).
It seems this is turning into a great and easy series to read.
4.5 stars.
February 5, 2014
School has started and Sara is desperate to appear normal and make friends despite being pestered by a group of spirits. Like the first book this one is fun. We see Sara growing into her responsibilities and still being able to be part of a group of friends. This is a great series for tweens. There is even the start of a middle school romance. Already checked out the next in the series.
August 10, 2012
This book is both romantic and creepy.That is why I love this book.This book was really........umm.................Well I just dont know how to describe it because its soooooooo great.Phoebe Rivers you ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 10, 2012
I enjoyed this even better than the first though it seemed like it ended in the middle...but I will just get the next book :) Cute for upper elem/ middle school with a tiny romance and a not-too-scary ghost story.
July 31, 2013
This is the second installment of a middle grade series about 12 year old Sara who has paranormal visions. This is a cute series that middle school girls will love. It has a bit of a creepy factor without being too scary. Also touches on friendships, family, and crushes.
-Steph
-Steph
September 12, 2012
*4/5 stars*
When can I read the next one? This series is sooo good! But ugh, what is wrong with Marco?!!
When can I read the next one? This series is sooo good! But ugh, what is wrong with Marco?!!
December 13, 2012
Pretty good for the supernatural! This second book in the Saranormal series is a quick and funny read. Everyone can identify with being the new person at one time or another in their life.
January 10, 2013
I loved it SOOOOOO much :) Its really interesting and it has some paranormal stuff. Im a huge fan of the Paranormal o.o. In The end its really creepy and touching .
March 7, 2013
I am loving this series!!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews