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Better Homes and Hauntings
Author of the beloved Half Moon Hollow series of vampire romances (Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs), Molly Harper has created a standalone paranormal romance in which a dilapidated haunted house could bring star-crossed lovers together—if it doesn’t kill them first!
When Nina Linden is hired to landscape a private island off the New England coast, she sees it as her chance to rebuild her failing business after being cheated by her unscrupulous ex. She never expects that her new client, software mogul Deacon Whitney, would see more in her than just a talented gardener. Deacon has paid top dollar to the crews he’s hired to renovate the desolate Whitney estate—he had to, because the bumps, thumps, and unexplained sightings of ghostly figures in nineteenth-century dress are driving workers away faster than he can say “Boo.”
But Nina shows no signs of being scared away, even as she experiences some unnerving apparitions herself. And as the two of them work closely together to restore the mansion’s faded glory, Deacon realizes that he’s found someone who doesn’t seem to like his fortune more than himself—while Nina may have finally found the one man she can trust with her bruised and battered heart.
But something on the island doesn’t believe in true love…and if Nina and Deacon can’t figure out how to put these angry spirits to rest, their own love doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance.
When Nina Linden is hired to landscape a private island off the New England coast, she sees it as her chance to rebuild her failing business after being cheated by her unscrupulous ex. She never expects that her new client, software mogul Deacon Whitney, would see more in her than just a talented gardener. Deacon has paid top dollar to the crews he’s hired to renovate the desolate Whitney estate—he had to, because the bumps, thumps, and unexplained sightings of ghostly figures in nineteenth-century dress are driving workers away faster than he can say “Boo.”
But Nina shows no signs of being scared away, even as she experiences some unnerving apparitions herself. And as the two of them work closely together to restore the mansion’s faded glory, Deacon realizes that he’s found someone who doesn’t seem to like his fortune more than himself—while Nina may have finally found the one man she can trust with her bruised and battered heart.
But something on the island doesn’t believe in true love…and if Nina and Deacon can’t figure out how to put these angry spirits to rest, their own love doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2014
189 people are currently reading
3860 people want to read
About the author
Molly Harper
61 books8,145 followersMolly Harper is the author of more than 40 romance titles including the Half-Moon Hollow series, the Mystic Bayou, the Starfall Point series, and her first murder mystery, A PROPOSAL TO DIE FOR. She lives in Michigan with her family. For more information, go to www.mollyharper.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 664 reviews
June 23, 2022
This was a totally cute standalone by paranormal author Molly Harper about a landscaper who goes to work on a project at a mansion on an island on the US east coast and finds it haunted. Nina is a sassy, great main character, and her romance with nerdy, comic book loving, reclusive billionaire Deacon (who owns the mansion being restored) was cute to read. There are cute side stories as well with the minor characters. A nice stand-alone.
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June 25, 2014
Better Homes and Hauntings by Molly Harper is a stand alone that is a fun who-dun-it of the ghostly kind.
Deacon Whitney is the very rich creator of Eye-Dee, a social networking site. He has also inherited his family’s mansion that sits on a private island that has the reputation of being haunted by his Great-Great Grandmother, Catherine Whitney. Deacon is the first to break the curse and to have a successful business and has decided to use his success to refurbish the mansion to all its former glory.
Deacon has gathered the best for this job but part of the deal is that they must live on the island while the job is in progress. The group includes his best-friend Jake who is the architect, Cindy to organize the contents and to clean. And also Nina Linden who is in charge of landscaping. One other addition to this group is Deacon’s cousin, Dotty, who is determined to write a book on the mystery surrounding the murder of Catherine and to somehow lift the curse on the Whitney family.
Nina can’t believe she was chosen for this job. It can finally help her to make a success out of her fledgling business. Nina has been fighting against her ex-business partner, Rick, who has done everything in his power to ruin her chances of being successful. Rick has found a way to sabotage her both at her job sites and by ruining her credit rating. But as she is nearing the island for the first time, are her eyes playing tricks on her or does she see a beautiful woman standing on the balcony of the house? She thought no one else was on the island. Could it have been the ghost of Catherine long said to walk the halls? Nina is determined to successfully complete this job, ghosts or no ghosts. She didn’t plan on liking her boss, Deacon quite so much either. Deacon is sweet, quirky and funny. This summer might turn out better than she could have hoped.
“Oh come on, I’ve seen the two of you together. It’s like watching a nature documentary on scientists trying to get the two most socially awkward people in the world to mate.”
This group of people were all so fun to read about. Each one had their own quirks. And each one played a part in finally solving the murder of Catherine. It was so much fun to watch the relationships evolve between the characters, both romantic and friendships. We are kept guessing until the final pages with a very surprising ending. Thank you so much to Molly Harper, Pocket Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
Deacon Whitney is the very rich creator of Eye-Dee, a social networking site. He has also inherited his family’s mansion that sits on a private island that has the reputation of being haunted by his Great-Great Grandmother, Catherine Whitney. Deacon is the first to break the curse and to have a successful business and has decided to use his success to refurbish the mansion to all its former glory.
Deacon has gathered the best for this job but part of the deal is that they must live on the island while the job is in progress. The group includes his best-friend Jake who is the architect, Cindy to organize the contents and to clean. And also Nina Linden who is in charge of landscaping. One other addition to this group is Deacon’s cousin, Dotty, who is determined to write a book on the mystery surrounding the murder of Catherine and to somehow lift the curse on the Whitney family.
Nina can’t believe she was chosen for this job. It can finally help her to make a success out of her fledgling business. Nina has been fighting against her ex-business partner, Rick, who has done everything in his power to ruin her chances of being successful. Rick has found a way to sabotage her both at her job sites and by ruining her credit rating. But as she is nearing the island for the first time, are her eyes playing tricks on her or does she see a beautiful woman standing on the balcony of the house? She thought no one else was on the island. Could it have been the ghost of Catherine long said to walk the halls? Nina is determined to successfully complete this job, ghosts or no ghosts. She didn’t plan on liking her boss, Deacon quite so much either. Deacon is sweet, quirky and funny. This summer might turn out better than she could have hoped.
“Oh come on, I’ve seen the two of you together. It’s like watching a nature documentary on scientists trying to get the two most socially awkward people in the world to mate.”
This group of people were all so fun to read about. Each one had their own quirks. And each one played a part in finally solving the murder of Catherine. It was so much fun to watch the relationships evolve between the characters, both romantic and friendships. We are kept guessing until the final pages with a very surprising ending. Thank you so much to Molly Harper, Pocket Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
July 16, 2016
Nina Linden is hired to landscape a private island and she thinks this will be the chance for her to rebuild her failing business. Rick, her partner, and ex-boyfriend have tried to destroy her career after she left him when she realized he had been swindling money from their company. Deacon Whitney, the man she is working for is planning on renovating the derelict Whitney estate on the island. The problem is that the place is said to be haunted by the lady of the manor that was killed a century before...
The thing I really enjoyed with this book was the nerdiness and the banter. Deacon Whitney may be a billionaire, but he is also a computer geek with who loves old cult fantasy movies like Flash and Kull. He is a rich guy who dresses in superman t-shirt. I thought I was over that whole rich guy, poor girl thing, but that was before I finally found myself reading a book about a nerdy billionaire. There is a lot of flirting between Nina and Deacon in this book and really funny nerdy banter between them.
We also have Jack and Cindy, Cindy is cleaning up the place and Jack is the architect and they have a past history, well Jack asked Cindy out on a couple of days and then she never heard from him again, and she is still pissed of despite the fact that it was years ago. And Jack just doesn't understand why because he doesn't remember that. So Cindy is making him really miserable and he can't understand why because people usually like him.
Then there is Dotty, Deacon's fun loving and impulsive cousin that arrives at the island to write a book about Catherine and Gerald, the women killed and her husband, the suspected killer. She instantly befriends Nina and Cindy and the three of them are having a blast, well when they are not being spooked.
The story in itself wasn't that surprising. I mean it was easy to see the how it all would turn out for both Nina and Deacon and Jack and Cindy. I mean I like them, but the book is very much a paranormal romance, with a big emphasis on romance. The paranormal part was just not the books strongest part, for instance, I suspected the ending quite soon, there was in my opinion just two ways it all could end and my suspicion turn out to be the right one since. And all the parts when there are spooky things happening, well it was was never in any way terrifying. I think humor just got in the way to really make it a good haunted house story. But if a less terrifying paranormal book about a haunted house you are after then this is a very good choice.
I was quite pleased when all the women Nina, Cindy and Dotty instantly like each other and there were no women that were a jealous bitch, then Regina turned up. So typical. Also, it was hardly surprising that Rick, Nina's ex would have a role to play in this book.
So all and all, the humor was great, the character likable, the romance kind of OK despites its obvious pairing, but the story a bit weak. I was just never worried that something would happen to the main characters and the ending was just not that thrilling. One thing I liked was that is a stand alone paranormal book and not part of a series. There are so many series out there that it's nice with a book that isn't planned to be part of a series. As far as I know at least...
3.5 stars
Thanks to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
The thing I really enjoyed with this book was the nerdiness and the banter. Deacon Whitney may be a billionaire, but he is also a computer geek with who loves old cult fantasy movies like Flash and Kull. He is a rich guy who dresses in superman t-shirt. I thought I was over that whole rich guy, poor girl thing, but that was before I finally found myself reading a book about a nerdy billionaire. There is a lot of flirting between Nina and Deacon in this book and really funny nerdy banter between them.
We also have Jack and Cindy, Cindy is cleaning up the place and Jack is the architect and they have a past history, well Jack asked Cindy out on a couple of days and then she never heard from him again, and she is still pissed of despite the fact that it was years ago. And Jack just doesn't understand why because he doesn't remember that. So Cindy is making him really miserable and he can't understand why because people usually like him.
Then there is Dotty, Deacon's fun loving and impulsive cousin that arrives at the island to write a book about Catherine and Gerald, the women killed and her husband, the suspected killer. She instantly befriends Nina and Cindy and the three of them are having a blast, well when they are not being spooked.
The story in itself wasn't that surprising. I mean it was easy to see the how it all would turn out for both Nina and Deacon and Jack and Cindy. I mean I like them, but the book is very much a paranormal romance, with a big emphasis on romance. The paranormal part was just not the books strongest part, for instance, I suspected the ending quite soon, there was in my opinion just two ways it all could end and my suspicion turn out to be the right one since. And all the parts when there are spooky things happening, well it was was never in any way terrifying. I think humor just got in the way to really make it a good haunted house story. But if a less terrifying paranormal book about a haunted house you are after then this is a very good choice.
I was quite pleased when all the women Nina, Cindy and Dotty instantly like each other and there were no women that were a jealous bitch, then Regina turned up. So typical. Also, it was hardly surprising that Rick, Nina's ex would have a role to play in this book.
So all and all, the humor was great, the character likable, the romance kind of OK despites its obvious pairing, but the story a bit weak. I was just never worried that something would happen to the main characters and the ending was just not that thrilling. One thing I liked was that is a stand alone paranormal book and not part of a series. There are so many series out there that it's nice with a book that isn't planned to be part of a series. As far as I know at least...
3.5 stars
Thanks to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
July 1, 2014
4 Ghostly Good Stars!
Molly Harper is one of my go to authors. I've read everything she's written, and her paranormal romances are my personal favorites. Her endearing quirky characters, witty laugh-out-loud dialogue, and exceptional story telling make her books a joy to read. Better Homes and Hauntings fell right into that mold and proved once again why I love her books so much!
There was not one, but two romances in play and fun friendships that formed. I only wish that there were more ghostly encounters throughout the read, although when the spirits made their appearances, it ramped up the creep element, something I rather enjoyed. While I liked all the main characters, Deacon, Nina, Jake and Cindy, it was when Dotty, Deacon's cousin, shows up unexpectedly on the island that things got really amusing and entertaining. She had nothing but good intentions, wanted to prove that her great-great grandparents loved each other, and that the murder accusations were false. I know this is a stand-alone, but I think Dotty has a future as a ghost hunter and needs a book of her own, so please Molly Harper write her a story and give her a guy, she so deserves one!
A light easy read! First-rate fun, sexy good times, charming characters, and an engaging story make Better Homes and Hauntings another winner in the Molly Harper collection!
*A copy of the book was provided by the publisher to Swept Away By Romance in exchange for an honest review*
April 30, 2015
A review of both the audio and kindle version...
Better Homes and Hauntings is a standalone novel by one of my favorite author/narrator teams; Molly Harper and Amanda Ronconi. I often wonder if they share the same brain waves because, without fail, Ms. Ronconi performs the story exactly the way I imagine Ms. Harper meant it to be performed.
Blurb…
When Nina Linden is hired to landscape a private island off the New England coast, she sees it as her chance to rebuild her failing business after being cheated by her unscrupulous ex. She never expects that her new client, software mogul Deacon Whitney, would see more in her than just a talented gardener. Deacon has paid top dollar to the crews he’s hired to renovate the desolate Whitney estate—he had to, because the bumps, thumps, and unexplained sightings of ghostly figures in nineteenth-century dress are driving workers away faster than he can say “Boo.”
But Nina shows no signs of being scared away, even as she experiences some unnerving apparitions herself. And as the two of them work closely together to restore the mansion’s faded glory, Deacon realizes that he’s found someone who doesn’t seem to like his fortune more than himself—while Nina may have finally found the one man she can trust with her bruised and battered heart.
But something on the island doesn’t believe in true love…and if Nina and Deacon can’t figure out how to put these angry spirits to rest, their own love doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance.
My thoughts…
I really am a huge fan of Molly Harper’s stories, with the Jane Jamison series being my favorite. Reading the stories is a great experience but nothing beats listening and reading along at the same time as Amanda Ronconi brings it all to life.
Though it took a little while for Better Homes and Hauntings to grab me, I enjoyed the whole book. Because this is a standalone, there was a lot of time spent on character introduction and plot set-up which isn’t necessarily a bad thing considering there are actually 2 romances taking place – 3 if you count the dearly departed couple who are the foundation and driving force behind this story.
The bottom line…
If you’re interested in trying her work without investing in a series, Better Homes and Hauntings is a great place to start. It’s an entertaining story with awesome characters and lots of witty dialog. It’s romantic, steamy, funny, and spooky, and I really wish Ms. Harper would write more ‘ghostly’ tales.
October 15, 2022
Halloween Bingo 2022
I waited a (subjectively) long time for this book, the previous borrower hanging onto it well after the due date. I was really looking forward to it, because I have really enjoyed Molly Harper's writing before. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I found myself disappointed with this book.
Harper's trademark humour was much reduced. This was a much more serious ghost story than I anticipated. Had I known, I would have waited for daylight to crack it open. Because, as I have stated before, I am easily spooked by supernatural tales and can't read the truly scary ones in the dark. Ghost stories can be particularly fear inducing, as apparently my subconscious is a believer. Once I got started, I needed to know the ending if I was going to be able to sleep. It was a late, late night. (For you committed horror readers, I know I am a coward. I'm okay with that.)
One aspect of the book bothered me: point-of-view changed regularly. There's a Scooby Do team of five characters and they all get their turn at POV. I always knew whose head I was in, but I found the switching unsettling. I guess I'm used to a single narrator, especially in books with a romantic element. Nina was a decent main character and I would have happily remained with her view point.
I found the ghosts to be far too corporeal for my tastes and the apparent possession disturbing. Give me ambiguous hauntings, please, not ghosts waiting for me in bed. How will I ever sleep again if that's a possibility? How will I ever be able to turn my back on the bed or click off the light? Harper did keep the ghostly identity uncertain until the very end, very well done.
I did love the developing friendship between the three women. Cindy and Dottie are good support for Nina, as she rebuilds her confidence. Cindy has her professional reasons for choosing this unusual work arrangement and also gets a romantic plot line. Both Nina and Cindy are like me: publicly saying they don't believe in ghosts but privately being scared out of their wits. Dottie is a true believer, frustrated because the phantoms don't manifest to her.
So, not quite the humorous romp that I had hoped for from Harper. Still, I read it in one night and although a bit jittery when I went to bed, I am recovered this morning. With this book for the Ghosts and Hauntings square, I have completed my Halloween Bingo reading for this year. It's been a good game!
I waited a (subjectively) long time for this book, the previous borrower hanging onto it well after the due date. I was really looking forward to it, because I have really enjoyed Molly Harper's writing before. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I found myself disappointed with this book.
Harper's trademark humour was much reduced. This was a much more serious ghost story than I anticipated. Had I known, I would have waited for daylight to crack it open. Because, as I have stated before, I am easily spooked by supernatural tales and can't read the truly scary ones in the dark. Ghost stories can be particularly fear inducing, as apparently my subconscious is a believer. Once I got started, I needed to know the ending if I was going to be able to sleep. It was a late, late night. (For you committed horror readers, I know I am a coward. I'm okay with that.)
One aspect of the book bothered me: point-of-view changed regularly. There's a Scooby Do team of five characters and they all get their turn at POV. I always knew whose head I was in, but I found the switching unsettling. I guess I'm used to a single narrator, especially in books with a romantic element. Nina was a decent main character and I would have happily remained with her view point.
I found the ghosts to be far too corporeal for my tastes and the apparent possession disturbing. Give me ambiguous hauntings, please, not ghosts waiting for me in bed. How will I ever sleep again if that's a possibility? How will I ever be able to turn my back on the bed or click off the light? Harper did keep the ghostly identity uncertain until the very end, very well done.
I did love the developing friendship between the three women. Cindy and Dottie are good support for Nina, as she rebuilds her confidence. Cindy has her professional reasons for choosing this unusual work arrangement and also gets a romantic plot line. Both Nina and Cindy are like me: publicly saying they don't believe in ghosts but privately being scared out of their wits. Dottie is a true believer, frustrated because the phantoms don't manifest to her.
So, not quite the humorous romp that I had hoped for from Harper. Still, I read it in one night and although a bit jittery when I went to bed, I am recovered this morning. With this book for the Ghosts and Hauntings square, I have completed my Halloween Bingo reading for this year. It's been a good game!
June 6, 2016
This is a cute cozy about a crew of people that are contracted to restore an old mansion, that is located on a secluded island. The owner is new to his large fortune and insists that they all stay on the island for the duration of the restoration for the purpose of security. When strange things start to happen in and around the house, the truth of its longtime reputation of it being haunted is brought to light. They as a group, decide to stay on with the hope of getting to the bottom of what really happened to the original owners. As always Amanda Ronconi is spot on for this type of light read.
January 3, 2016
3.5 Stars
I’ve always been drawn to scary stories, even when I was much younger. I’m not sure why because I’d usually end up scared out of my wits and unable to turn the lights out at bedtime. These were times I was very grateful to have shared a room with my sister! As a grownup I still love a good thriller, so the thought of vengeful ghosts, and spine chilling encounters, had me giddy to pick up Better Homes and Hauntings. Add in a big, beautiful, spooky mansion as the setting, and some romance and I was happy girl!
Landscape artist Nina Linden is on her own after getting shafted by her business partner, Rick. She’s thrilled to have landed the lucrative Whitney Mansion renovation knowing the results can make or break her. With the stakes so high, Nina doesn’t let the house’s haunted reputation deter her. She doesn’t plan on being distracted by romance, but Declan the good looking, wealthy and sweet owner is too hard to resist. But bigger things are at play and the house seems intent on using both Declan and Nina to reenact past tragic events, and bring to light the identity of a murderer. Can they solve the past mysteries before the sinister spirits do actual harm? You’ll have to read it and find out!
The Crane’s Nest on Whitney Island was isolated and a ferry ride away from civilization making it a perfectly spooky setting! It was also packed with Molly Harper’s signature humor and one-liners that make you giggle, but surprisingly there were a lot of scary scenes that may make you think twice about shutting off the lights at night after reading.
Declan and Nina’s romance was sweet and at times very passionate. Even though Declan was a multi-millionaire, he was unassuming, nerdy, and adorable. He’s taken with Nina right away, especially because his wealth doesn’t seem to faze her. Being too trusting, Nina had gone through some rough times. And so I was pleased she finally had someone like Declan who cared and wanted to protect her, especially with Rick still lurking about. This girl needed some happiness.
I enjoyed Better Homes and Hauntings, but I had some issues with the many POVs. The description makes it seem that this a story focused on Nina and Declan, but that is not the case. We also have Jake, Declan’s best friend and architect, Cindy, owner of the cleanup crew, and Declan’s cousin Dotty, a novelist. They all have pretty substantial story threads. Add in the past characters and mystery, and there’s a lot going on. I feel like it was a little too much and the story would’ve benefited by focusing primarily on Nina, Declan and the haunting past. Still, I enjoyed this story. I was laughing one minute and getting goose bumps the next.
I’m picturing the Whitney Mansion to resemble one of these two houses (below) after the renovation. If I were Nina, I wouldn’t mind living here with my rich, hot geek, minus the ghosts, of course!
A copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
You can read this review and more at The Readers Den.
I’ve always been drawn to scary stories, even when I was much younger. I’m not sure why because I’d usually end up scared out of my wits and unable to turn the lights out at bedtime. These were times I was very grateful to have shared a room with my sister! As a grownup I still love a good thriller, so the thought of vengeful ghosts, and spine chilling encounters, had me giddy to pick up Better Homes and Hauntings. Add in a big, beautiful, spooky mansion as the setting, and some romance and I was happy girl!
Landscape artist Nina Linden is on her own after getting shafted by her business partner, Rick. She’s thrilled to have landed the lucrative Whitney Mansion renovation knowing the results can make or break her. With the stakes so high, Nina doesn’t let the house’s haunted reputation deter her. She doesn’t plan on being distracted by romance, but Declan the good looking, wealthy and sweet owner is too hard to resist. But bigger things are at play and the house seems intent on using both Declan and Nina to reenact past tragic events, and bring to light the identity of a murderer. Can they solve the past mysteries before the sinister spirits do actual harm? You’ll have to read it and find out!
The Crane’s Nest on Whitney Island was isolated and a ferry ride away from civilization making it a perfectly spooky setting! It was also packed with Molly Harper’s signature humor and one-liners that make you giggle, but surprisingly there were a lot of scary scenes that may make you think twice about shutting off the lights at night after reading.
Declan and Nina’s romance was sweet and at times very passionate. Even though Declan was a multi-millionaire, he was unassuming, nerdy, and adorable. He’s taken with Nina right away, especially because his wealth doesn’t seem to faze her. Being too trusting, Nina had gone through some rough times. And so I was pleased she finally had someone like Declan who cared and wanted to protect her, especially with Rick still lurking about. This girl needed some happiness.
I enjoyed Better Homes and Hauntings, but I had some issues with the many POVs. The description makes it seem that this a story focused on Nina and Declan, but that is not the case. We also have Jake, Declan’s best friend and architect, Cindy, owner of the cleanup crew, and Declan’s cousin Dotty, a novelist. They all have pretty substantial story threads. Add in the past characters and mystery, and there’s a lot going on. I feel like it was a little too much and the story would’ve benefited by focusing primarily on Nina, Declan and the haunting past. Still, I enjoyed this story. I was laughing one minute and getting goose bumps the next.
I’m picturing the Whitney Mansion to resemble one of these two houses (below) after the renovation. If I were Nina, I wouldn’t mind living here with my rich, hot geek, minus the ghosts, of course!
A copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
You can read this review and more at The Readers Den.
June 28, 2014
Deacon has lived with his family's curse and my have even beaten it. He found success when his ancestors had only found financial ruin. He now wants to show the world his family's estate refurbished after years of neglect. He hires Nina to revive the gardens on is private island where she must stay until the work is done for security reasons. This works perfectly for her she is on the verge of ruin herself after a deceitful partner left her and her business suffering. She needs the recommendation, the money and the security of a private island. When she first lands on the island something strange happens and that is just the beginning to a huge old can or worms that are about to be opened. Angry spirits, secrets and angry ex's and maybe even true love.
I was so happy to see a stand alone paranormal book. Finally ! There are so few and I don't always want to be dragged into a long term series read. This was the perfect light ghost story with a sweet romantic side. Fantastic beach read. I loved the way the story slowly unfolded it was a fresh plot with some very creepy light moments.
I was so happy to see a stand alone paranormal book. Finally ! There are so few and I don't always want to be dragged into a long term series read. This was the perfect light ghost story with a sweet romantic side. Fantastic beach read. I loved the way the story slowly unfolded it was a fresh plot with some very creepy light moments.
July 15, 2014
I've read just about every book Harper has written and this is the lowest rating I've given one to date. The story was interesting and the plot engaging. I even liked the characters. But the friendships were too fast and complete, with immediate in-jokes and banter, that strained credulity a little too much. I liked them. I just didn't buy them. That break in engagement was near constant after about the halfway point. The relationships (and I don't mean simply the romantic ones) felt like they were played on fast forward...
I did like the originality of the haunting, though. Good set up and excellent delivery.
A note about Steamy: Light, for Harper, actually. One or two explicit scenes, some uncomfortable spiritus interruptus...
I did like the originality of the haunting, though. Good set up and excellent delivery.
A note about Steamy: Light, for Harper, actually. One or two explicit scenes, some uncomfortable spiritus interruptus...
July 6, 2014
DNF at 65%.
I paused for a day and never wanted to go on. I browsed through the rest of the book and it keep going as boring, slow-paced and predictable as ever:(
This is the first Molly Harper book I haven't managed to finish. I think the ghost story was extremely poorly made, the multiple VOPs made the characters distant and the whole story somehow lacked the vibe and humour I usually enjoy all all of the authors books.
I have no idea how to rate this, I couldn't finish it after all! Somewhere below 3 stars, that's for sure.
I paused for a day and never wanted to go on. I browsed through the rest of the book and it keep going as boring, slow-paced and predictable as ever:(
This is the first Molly Harper book I haven't managed to finish. I think the ghost story was extremely poorly made, the multiple VOPs made the characters distant and the whole story somehow lacked the vibe and humour I usually enjoy all all of the authors books.
I have no idea how to rate this, I couldn't finish it after all! Somewhere below 3 stars, that's for sure.
September 17, 2020
Review posted at: www.SweptAwayByRomance.com
** 4 Ghostly Stars **
I love everything that I’ve read of Molly Harper’s to date (I have to say her “Half Moon Hallow” series is favorite of mine) Her characters are witty, snarky, and just plain fun & refreshing and the cast of characters in this book is no exception.
Better Homes and Hauntings is a stand-alone but has the same snarky humor I've come to expect from her books. Nina Linden is one of several contractors hired to renovate the run-down estate of software mogul Deacon. The estate is rumored to be haunted by his Great, Great, Great Grandmother who was murdered on the estate and Nina along with the others has definitely experienced some unusual occurrences. Deacon, Nina, Cindy, and Jake, (our H&h and secondary characters) along Deacon’s eccentric cousin Dottie who all work together and attempt to restore the estate while trying to avoid what seems to be hostile haunting’s while slowly becoming fast friends…and for a couple of the characters more than friends.
We are treated to what we have come to expect from a Molly Harper book…Fun main & secondary characters, along with fun romance(s), and snarky heroines that make me chuckle or actually laugh out loud. It’s rare (for me) to find an author that can combine paranormal activity, romance, and humor all in one tidy little package. She's great read every single time and never disappoints!
*ARC kindly provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
** 4 Ghostly Stars **
I love everything that I’ve read of Molly Harper’s to date (I have to say her “Half Moon Hallow” series is favorite of mine) Her characters are witty, snarky, and just plain fun & refreshing and the cast of characters in this book is no exception.
Better Homes and Hauntings is a stand-alone but has the same snarky humor I've come to expect from her books. Nina Linden is one of several contractors hired to renovate the run-down estate of software mogul Deacon. The estate is rumored to be haunted by his Great, Great, Great Grandmother who was murdered on the estate and Nina along with the others has definitely experienced some unusual occurrences. Deacon, Nina, Cindy, and Jake, (our H&h and secondary characters) along Deacon’s eccentric cousin Dottie who all work together and attempt to restore the estate while trying to avoid what seems to be hostile haunting’s while slowly becoming fast friends…and for a couple of the characters more than friends.
We are treated to what we have come to expect from a Molly Harper book…Fun main & secondary characters, along with fun romance(s), and snarky heroines that make me chuckle or actually laugh out loud. It’s rare (for me) to find an author that can combine paranormal activity, romance, and humor all in one tidy little package. She's great read every single time and never disappoints!
*ARC kindly provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
January 11, 2015
From the very first sentence, Ms. Harper had me laughing, and she kept me laughing until the very end. Better Homes and Hauntings is so much more than just a funny book, though. It's mysterious and heartbreaking and beautiful. It was just absolutely amazing and I positively loved it!!
Nina Linden has been hired by Deacon Whitney to landscape the grounds of his family's ancestral island home. She simply wants to do a spectacular job to get her business thriving and ignore all the ghost stories she heard growing up. Nina never would have expected to find friends, Deacon, or danger, but she does and everyone on the island, most especially her, race to solve the puzzle of what truly happened to Catherine Whitney.
Better Homes and Hauntings had a way of sucking me into the story so deeply that I would lose all sense of time. I enjoyed reading it so much that I felt like no time passed from the minute I started to when I stopped. I just couldn't have been more pleased with this fantastic story.
The characters were one of the things I loved the most about this book! I loved how Nina was a little shy, but also how sassy and brave she was. The romance between Deacon and her was so cute and sweet. I really enjoyed Cindy and Jake's romance as well, particularly their banter. I also loved Dotty and her craziness!
Better Homes and Hauntings made me laugh a lot, but it also made me sad and angry for all the injustices that occurred. It gave me goosebumps and made me shiver sometimes when reading the ghost parts. I completely loved it and the ending was utterly beautiful!
Better Homes and Hauntings is a standalone told from multiple points of view with quite a few HEA's. ~ Paige, 5 stars
Nina Linden has been hired by Deacon Whitney to landscape the grounds of his family's ancestral island home. She simply wants to do a spectacular job to get her business thriving and ignore all the ghost stories she heard growing up. Nina never would have expected to find friends, Deacon, or danger, but she does and everyone on the island, most especially her, race to solve the puzzle of what truly happened to Catherine Whitney.
Better Homes and Hauntings had a way of sucking me into the story so deeply that I would lose all sense of time. I enjoyed reading it so much that I felt like no time passed from the minute I started to when I stopped. I just couldn't have been more pleased with this fantastic story.
The characters were one of the things I loved the most about this book! I loved how Nina was a little shy, but also how sassy and brave she was. The romance between Deacon and her was so cute and sweet. I really enjoyed Cindy and Jake's romance as well, particularly their banter. I also loved Dotty and her craziness!
Better Homes and Hauntings made me laugh a lot, but it also made me sad and angry for all the injustices that occurred. It gave me goosebumps and made me shiver sometimes when reading the ghost parts. I completely loved it and the ending was utterly beautiful!
Better Homes and Hauntings is a standalone told from multiple points of view with quite a few HEA's. ~ Paige, 5 stars
June 25, 2014
Trying to rebuild her business after her former business partner decided to ruin her reputation and send her to the wall, Nina accepts a job away from the city restoring a mansion on an isolated island. Together with a very small team they are restoring the house and gardens which have stood deserted for more than 100 years. But they quickly encounter a malevolence that is haunting the house.
As they restore the house, they gradually uncover a story of murder and betrayal and it seems that the ghost has decided to focus its fury on Nina.
Better Homes and Hauntings is such a great book. Molly Harper writes with an intelligence and wit that is completely addictive. This book actually took a little commitment, it has a slow build into the story which I haven't noticed in her previous books but once I was hooked that was it, I just couldn't put the book down.
Many thanks to Pocket Books and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC
As they restore the house, they gradually uncover a story of murder and betrayal and it seems that the ghost has decided to focus its fury on Nina.
Better Homes and Hauntings is such a great book. Molly Harper writes with an intelligence and wit that is completely addictive. This book actually took a little commitment, it has a slow build into the story which I haven't noticed in her previous books but once I was hooked that was it, I just couldn't put the book down.
Many thanks to Pocket Books and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC
February 19, 2016
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange from an honest review.
I was so excited to read this book. I have heard nothing but great things about Molly Harper and almost everyone who has recommended paranormal romance stories to me has recommended her.
However, for all the hype, she fell short here.
Granted, the ghost story was highly entertaining—I enjoyed it to the very end, even though I guessed less than halfway through who the “bad specter” really was.
But I was promised—or so the book’s premise promised me—a story about Nina and Deacon as the two romantic protagonists. Instead, I got a story about Nina, Deacon, Regina, Rick, Dotty, Jake and Cindy that kept going back and forth and never really gave me the amount of attention that they each needed, if indeed this was going to be a book about little stories all spread about instead of having just a featured couple.
Because of this, I never bought Nina and Deacon as two people who loved each other.
Here you have a girl who seems super shy and introverted when she’s view from others’ perspectives—yet who seems oddly in charge of herself when the novel is viewed from her perspective—who is apparently the only thing that her boss can think about since having met her once before during her job interview, which is portrayed by very brief lusty thoughts and a seemingly awkward amount of long and penetrating stares during dinner time on his part.
On the other hand you have a nerdy, yet “adorkable” guy, who cannot be away from his computer and his work for five seconds—so incredibly concentrated on what he’s doing in said computer that he can apparently not notice someone sneaking into his office and stealing a phone from where he keeps it ON himself—and seems to have terrible people’s skills yet becomes unbelievably well able to articulate himself in front of this redhead Nina whom he cannot stay away from.
This is all well and good, but when you give me the smallest of snippets of them together—because every other character in the story keeps intruding on what I believe to be THEIR story—and then suddenly they have one of the most awkward sexual encounters that I have ever read in a romance book, I start to think that I am not buying it.
Not enough attention was given to what was necessary, and I wonder if a few more edits wouldn’t have benefited this little story, which could have been a little more spooky and a lot more romantically thrilling.
I may give Molly Harper another try in the future, but for now I will warily turn to another book.
I was so excited to read this book. I have heard nothing but great things about Molly Harper and almost everyone who has recommended paranormal romance stories to me has recommended her.
However, for all the hype, she fell short here.
Granted, the ghost story was highly entertaining—I enjoyed it to the very end, even though I guessed less than halfway through who the “bad specter” really was.
But I was promised—or so the book’s premise promised me—a story about Nina and Deacon as the two romantic protagonists. Instead, I got a story about Nina, Deacon, Regina, Rick, Dotty, Jake and Cindy that kept going back and forth and never really gave me the amount of attention that they each needed, if indeed this was going to be a book about little stories all spread about instead of having just a featured couple.
Because of this, I never bought Nina and Deacon as two people who loved each other.
Here you have a girl who seems super shy and introverted when she’s view from others’ perspectives—yet who seems oddly in charge of herself when the novel is viewed from her perspective—who is apparently the only thing that her boss can think about since having met her once before during her job interview, which is portrayed by very brief lusty thoughts and a seemingly awkward amount of long and penetrating stares during dinner time on his part.
On the other hand you have a nerdy, yet “adorkable” guy, who cannot be away from his computer and his work for five seconds—so incredibly concentrated on what he’s doing in said computer that he can apparently not notice someone sneaking into his office and stealing a phone from where he keeps it ON himself—and seems to have terrible people’s skills yet becomes unbelievably well able to articulate himself in front of this redhead Nina whom he cannot stay away from.
This is all well and good, but when you give me the smallest of snippets of them together—because every other character in the story keeps intruding on what I believe to be THEIR story—and then suddenly they have one of the most awkward sexual encounters that I have ever read in a romance book, I start to think that I am not buying it.
Not enough attention was given to what was necessary, and I wonder if a few more edits wouldn’t have benefited this little story, which could have been a little more spooky and a lot more romantically thrilling.
I may give Molly Harper another try in the future, but for now I will warily turn to another book.
August 20, 2018
This is a light read, which is sometimes needed. Honestly, I think it would have been better as a paranormal rom-com type film. The dialogue is very snappy and filled with one liners, clever comebacks, and pop culture references. I enjoy these elements, I truly do, but I think it translates better to film than paper. YMMV
Basic plot. Deacon Whitney is a tech nerd who has made it big with his Facebook-esque technology. He comes from a gilded-age New England lineage, but his family lost the money long ago. They weren't exactly poor by average standards, but the family was determined to keep up with the same social set and couldn't afford the fancy private schools and all the trappings, so they were in massive debt. They did have a dilapidated old mansion on a private island, but only because it was held in trust and couldn't be sold. Rumor is that the mansion is haunted by the ghost of Deacon's great great grandmother who was apparently strangled by her stern older husband after an affair. He subsequently lost all the family money and no one, until Deacon, has been able to earn it back.
Now that Deacon has made it big, he plans to restore the old mansion to its former grandeur and hires a group of contractors to live on the island. The main characters are Nina the landscaper and heroine, Cindy the gorgeous owner of a cleaning and organization service, his best friend, Jake, an architect, and his eccentric cousin Dottie who wants to write a book about the house. They all bond over their romantic and ghostly trials on the island.
Overall a cute read, but not outstanding. I've never read anything else by this author, so not sure if this is a good representation of her work.
Basic plot. Deacon Whitney is a tech nerd who has made it big with his Facebook-esque technology. He comes from a gilded-age New England lineage, but his family lost the money long ago. They weren't exactly poor by average standards, but the family was determined to keep up with the same social set and couldn't afford the fancy private schools and all the trappings, so they were in massive debt. They did have a dilapidated old mansion on a private island, but only because it was held in trust and couldn't be sold. Rumor is that the mansion is haunted by the ghost of Deacon's great great grandmother who was apparently strangled by her stern older husband after an affair. He subsequently lost all the family money and no one, until Deacon, has been able to earn it back.
Now that Deacon has made it big, he plans to restore the old mansion to its former grandeur and hires a group of contractors to live on the island. The main characters are Nina the landscaper and heroine, Cindy the gorgeous owner of a cleaning and organization service, his best friend, Jake, an architect, and his eccentric cousin Dottie who wants to write a book about the house. They all bond over their romantic and ghostly trials on the island.
Overall a cute read, but not outstanding. I've never read anything else by this author, so not sure if this is a good representation of her work.
January 19, 2016
Two and a half stars: A book with a good ghostly mystery, but it lacks humor and the romances are lackluster.
Nina can't shake the feeling of foreboding that sneaks up on her once she sets foot on Crane Island. It doesn't help that she was seasick on the boat ride over, and then once she arrived at the house, she thought she saw a shadowy figure on the roof. Still, Nina desperately needs this job, so she is determined to stick it out and do the best landscaping she can in order to help restore the Whitney estate for billionaire Deacon Whitney. Luckily, Nina isn't alone, and she is relieved to have found a kindred spirit in Cindy, who was hired to do the indoor decorating and renovation. Jake, Deacon's long time best friend, is also along to help. Unfortunately, once they are settled, strange things start happening. Is the Whitney Estate haunted, or worse yet, cursed?
What I Liked:
*Better Homes and Hauntings is a strong departure from Ms. Harper's normal fare. While this book doesn't feature any paranormal creatures such as werewolves and vampires, it does have a strong ghostly presence. I liked the ghosts and the mystery surrounding the house.
*The atmosphere if perfect for the story. Think an old decaying mansion rumored to be haunted, set on an isolated island only accessible by boat or helicopter. The decrepit mansion along with its troublesome past and inexplicable occurrences provides an excellent backdrop for a ghostly mystery.
Once the gang establishes itself on the island, ghostly episodes start happening. I enjoyed the ghost presence, and I liked unraveling the mystery surrounding the ghosts.
*This book is told via five view points: Nina, Deacon, Jake, Cindy and Dotty. Even though it took a bit of time to adjust to the narrations, all done in third person, I found that I liked getting inside each character's head. Especially when it came to the ghost experiences.
*I liked the way the past blended with the present in order to present the history of the Whitney family, and to establish the mystery. There are some interesting twists at the end before the big finale.
*The ending draws to a nice close without a cliffhanger or undone story lines. This is a stand alone book.
And The Not So Much:
*Having previously read Ms. Harper, I went into this one expecting a fun, light story full of humor and snark. Unfortunately, there is little humor, and I found that I missed the fun, lightheartedness that I am used to from this author.
*There are two romances, and I didn't think that either was well executed. Both felt hurried and thrown together, one was more believable than the other because there was a history, but then the reason the two split in the past wasn't well explained. The other romance felt a bit too much like insta love and it moved way to quickly for my taste.
*There were a couple of things that just didn't work for me, one of those was the whole story line regarding the villain from Nina's past. I didn't think it was realistic that he could come and go on the island, supposedly lined with security cameras. Furthermore, the story line didn't connect well with the story, and I could have done without it.
*There was just something missing from this one. I liked the ghost mystery, but overall, I felt the plot was weak, the characters underdeveloped, the romances lackluster, little humor and a story that wasn't well executed. I was expecting far better from Ms. Harper.
Better Homes and Hauntings was a book I picked up hoping for a light, fun read, but what a got was a book with an interesting ghost mystery, but it failed to impress. If you have not read this author before, this is not the book to try. I was disappointed in this one, and I can't recommend it, unless you want a ghost story. Still even then, I would recommend borrowing the book. If you want to experience Ms. Harper, try her Naked Werewolf Series or Jane Jameson Series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Nina can't shake the feeling of foreboding that sneaks up on her once she sets foot on Crane Island. It doesn't help that she was seasick on the boat ride over, and then once she arrived at the house, she thought she saw a shadowy figure on the roof. Still, Nina desperately needs this job, so she is determined to stick it out and do the best landscaping she can in order to help restore the Whitney estate for billionaire Deacon Whitney. Luckily, Nina isn't alone, and she is relieved to have found a kindred spirit in Cindy, who was hired to do the indoor decorating and renovation. Jake, Deacon's long time best friend, is also along to help. Unfortunately, once they are settled, strange things start happening. Is the Whitney Estate haunted, or worse yet, cursed?
What I Liked:
*Better Homes and Hauntings is a strong departure from Ms. Harper's normal fare. While this book doesn't feature any paranormal creatures such as werewolves and vampires, it does have a strong ghostly presence. I liked the ghosts and the mystery surrounding the house.
*The atmosphere if perfect for the story. Think an old decaying mansion rumored to be haunted, set on an isolated island only accessible by boat or helicopter. The decrepit mansion along with its troublesome past and inexplicable occurrences provides an excellent backdrop for a ghostly mystery.
Once the gang establishes itself on the island, ghostly episodes start happening. I enjoyed the ghost presence, and I liked unraveling the mystery surrounding the ghosts.
*This book is told via five view points: Nina, Deacon, Jake, Cindy and Dotty. Even though it took a bit of time to adjust to the narrations, all done in third person, I found that I liked getting inside each character's head. Especially when it came to the ghost experiences.
*I liked the way the past blended with the present in order to present the history of the Whitney family, and to establish the mystery. There are some interesting twists at the end before the big finale.
*The ending draws to a nice close without a cliffhanger or undone story lines. This is a stand alone book.
And The Not So Much:
*Having previously read Ms. Harper, I went into this one expecting a fun, light story full of humor and snark. Unfortunately, there is little humor, and I found that I missed the fun, lightheartedness that I am used to from this author.
*There are two romances, and I didn't think that either was well executed. Both felt hurried and thrown together, one was more believable than the other because there was a history, but then the reason the two split in the past wasn't well explained. The other romance felt a bit too much like insta love and it moved way to quickly for my taste.
*There were a couple of things that just didn't work for me, one of those was the whole story line regarding the villain from Nina's past. I didn't think it was realistic that he could come and go on the island, supposedly lined with security cameras. Furthermore, the story line didn't connect well with the story, and I could have done without it.
*There was just something missing from this one. I liked the ghost mystery, but overall, I felt the plot was weak, the characters underdeveloped, the romances lackluster, little humor and a story that wasn't well executed. I was expecting far better from Ms. Harper.
Better Homes and Hauntings was a book I picked up hoping for a light, fun read, but what a got was a book with an interesting ghost mystery, but it failed to impress. If you have not read this author before, this is not the book to try. I was disappointed in this one, and I can't recommend it, unless you want a ghost story. Still even then, I would recommend borrowing the book. If you want to experience Ms. Harper, try her Naked Werewolf Series or Jane Jameson Series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
January 24, 2015
This is my first book by Molly Harper, I've heard so many great things about her writing that I was super excited to get a copy of this book. However, after the first couple chapters I pretty much lost interest.
From the book blurb I was anticipating the POVs to remain focused on Nina and Deacon, specially since this is a love story of sorts. Instead, it hops around five different characters, which really detracts from the story. I really,really,really wanted to just stick to these main characters, I didn't like getting put off to read about others, even though they're all stuck on the same island. It just left me kinda annoyed. I think if the blurb would have mentioned that this was about a group of people I wouldn't have been so disappointed.
The story itself was alright, it was a bit over the top. It was sort of like the author was trying to top each scenario with something worse as the book progressed. As I was reading, I started filing this book under gaudy horror movies and was waiting on the dude with the chainsaw to pop out.
I wouldn't recommend this book, I didn't like it.
I received this copy from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
From the book blurb I was anticipating the POVs to remain focused on Nina and Deacon, specially since this is a love story of sorts. Instead, it hops around five different characters, which really detracts from the story. I really,really,really wanted to just stick to these main characters, I didn't like getting put off to read about others, even though they're all stuck on the same island. It just left me kinda annoyed. I think if the blurb would have mentioned that this was about a group of people I wouldn't have been so disappointed.
The story itself was alright, it was a bit over the top. It was sort of like the author was trying to top each scenario with something worse as the book progressed. As I was reading, I started filing this book under gaudy horror movies and was waiting on the dude with the chainsaw to pop out.
I wouldn't recommend this book, I didn't like it.
I received this copy from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2014
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
Take a standard romance novel trope, add a ghost story and some humor, and you get a romance novel only Molly Harper could write. BETTER HOMES & HAUNTINGS is a departure from Harper’s normal vampires, werewolves, and witches, but it doesn’t suffer for it. In fact, this standalone was a treat, and definitely worth the read despite my complaints about tropes.
There were some truly creepy moments in BETTER HOMES & HAUNTINGS. Between the ghostly experiences, plus the “trapped on an island” plotline, there’s almost a horror movie feel in the background. I appreciated that the ghosts were scary, because the last paranormal romance with ghosts I read, the ghost was the heroine, and it just doesn’t seem right. Creepy ghosts are much more like it.
My one complaint was the real-life bad guy. I think the book could have done without that addition, since there was already enough tension with the ghost story and trying to figure that out. Plus, the story was unique, and the addition of the stalker ex-boyfriend made it feel, at times, a little formulaic. I could easily see this novel without the ghosts being a standalone contemporary romance novel, so anything that made it feel more that way was a downside, in my opinion.
All in all, BETTER HOMES & HAUNTINGS was classic Molly Harper, with laughs and romance and just enough paranormal to round it out. While it isn’t my favorite Harper, it definitely stands on its own merit, and since it isn’t a series, there really isn’t much investment required (though I wouldn’t mind a book about some of the other characters…).I would recommend it to anybody looking for a fun, creative romance read.
Sexual content: Several sex scenes
Take a standard romance novel trope, add a ghost story and some humor, and you get a romance novel only Molly Harper could write. BETTER HOMES & HAUNTINGS is a departure from Harper’s normal vampires, werewolves, and witches, but it doesn’t suffer for it. In fact, this standalone was a treat, and definitely worth the read despite my complaints about tropes.
There were some truly creepy moments in BETTER HOMES & HAUNTINGS. Between the ghostly experiences, plus the “trapped on an island” plotline, there’s almost a horror movie feel in the background. I appreciated that the ghosts were scary, because the last paranormal romance with ghosts I read, the ghost was the heroine, and it just doesn’t seem right. Creepy ghosts are much more like it.
My one complaint was the real-life bad guy. I think the book could have done without that addition, since there was already enough tension with the ghost story and trying to figure that out. Plus, the story was unique, and the addition of the stalker ex-boyfriend made it feel, at times, a little formulaic. I could easily see this novel without the ghosts being a standalone contemporary romance novel, so anything that made it feel more that way was a downside, in my opinion.
All in all, BETTER HOMES & HAUNTINGS was classic Molly Harper, with laughs and romance and just enough paranormal to round it out. While it isn’t my favorite Harper, it definitely stands on its own merit, and since it isn’t a series, there really isn’t much investment required (though I wouldn’t mind a book about some of the other characters…).I would recommend it to anybody looking for a fun, creative romance read.
Sexual content: Several sex scenes
May 29, 2020
Better Homes and Haunting by Molly Harper
3.25 stars
Whimsical Writing Scale: 3.5
Character Scale: 4
Romance Meter: 3.25
Villain Scale: 2 (YAWN)
Plotastic Scale: 3
Cover Thoughts: Super cheesy. Super 2014 paranormal romance
Thank you, Netgalley and Pocket Books, for providing a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
3.25 stars
Nina is hired to landscape a beautiful mansion on an island. This is her chance to rebuild her business and get away from her ex. The owner is Deacon Whitney and he sweeps her off of her feet. The Whitney estate has been abandoned for a while and the workers keep being driven away. Something lurks in the corners of the house and they are not happy about the renovation process. This is a true Molly Harper book. I used to love her Jane Jamison series back in the day and when I read this a couple of years ago, it took me back to her witty and humorous take on the paranormal genre. Harper offers a fun and light playful twist on a genre that is normally very serious or takes itself way too seriously. I found there too be some unnecessary plot points that didn't enhance the story, but made it drag along a bit. This is a fun and quick read that I'm sure many readers of the genre will love. It's got ghosts, romance, and funny banter. Plus, the side characters really sell the story. I enjoyed it and while the big reveal wasn't something I necessarily loved or was shocked by, the reading experience was fun and light. Sometimes that's what the brain needs.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 3.5
Character Scale: 4
Romance Meter: 3.25
Villain Scale: 2 (YAWN)
Plotastic Scale: 3
Cover Thoughts: Super cheesy. Super 2014 paranormal romance
Thank you, Netgalley and Pocket Books, for providing a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2014
2 1/2 stars... I have to say I was disappointed in this book. I love Molly's other series, and was looking forward to this book. Her funny and snarky characters/dialogue were missing in this book, and the characters just didn't connect with me. There was definitely something missing in this book, and I had to force myself to finish it.
January 18, 2024
Better Homes and Hauntings was an enjoyable read with an intriguing mystery and a great romance.
When Nina Linden is hired to landscape Whitney Island, a small private island off the Rhode Island coast, she's not sure what to expect from the job but she hopes it will give her the chance to rebuild her business after being cheated by her ex-partner. The last thing she expected was the ghostly apparitions of the island's former owners which have driven away most of the workers Deacon Whitney has been able to hire. As Nina and Deacon work together to restore the island to its' former glory, the pair find themselves drawn to one another. But something on the island doesn't believe in love and if Nina and Deacon can't find a way to put the spirits to rest, the future of the island and their lives together are doomed.
The premise of Better Homes and Hauntings sounded like a lot of fun as I enjoy home renovation shows so I was looking forward to reading something like that but with a paranormal twist. The renovation part itself is actually pretty interesting and I enjoyed watching Nina and the others work on the project. The paranormal elements start small and then increase in frequency as the book goes on as the characters spend more time on the island. These elements range from flashback dreams to ghostly apparitions to full on reliving memories. I thought the paranormal aspect was handled well and I liked that it wasn't over the top to the point it distracted from everything else going on. The ending was well done and I liked how the author chose to resolve this plotline.
Nina's character was enjoyable to follow and I liked the way she was rebuilding her life after her ex destroyed it. The awful ex does become part of the story at one point and I was happy with how that situation was resolved. In addition to Nina we also follow Deacon (the property owner), Jake (Deacon's best friend and the architect for the renovation), and Cindy (a professional organizer hired by Deacon). The friendships that form between the characters is great as are the romances that develop between Nina/Deacon and Cindy/Jake. The secondary romance was a nice surprise and was just as good as the primary one. Both romances are given sufficient time to grow and I liked that neither of them jumped into things straight away.
Overall Better Homes and Hauntings was a great read and I will definitely be picking up more books from the author in the future.
When Nina Linden is hired to landscape Whitney Island, a small private island off the Rhode Island coast, she's not sure what to expect from the job but she hopes it will give her the chance to rebuild her business after being cheated by her ex-partner. The last thing she expected was the ghostly apparitions of the island's former owners which have driven away most of the workers Deacon Whitney has been able to hire. As Nina and Deacon work together to restore the island to its' former glory, the pair find themselves drawn to one another. But something on the island doesn't believe in love and if Nina and Deacon can't find a way to put the spirits to rest, the future of the island and their lives together are doomed.
The premise of Better Homes and Hauntings sounded like a lot of fun as I enjoy home renovation shows so I was looking forward to reading something like that but with a paranormal twist. The renovation part itself is actually pretty interesting and I enjoyed watching Nina and the others work on the project. The paranormal elements start small and then increase in frequency as the book goes on as the characters spend more time on the island. These elements range from flashback dreams to ghostly apparitions to full on reliving memories. I thought the paranormal aspect was handled well and I liked that it wasn't over the top to the point it distracted from everything else going on. The ending was well done and I liked how the author chose to resolve this plotline.
Nina's character was enjoyable to follow and I liked the way she was rebuilding her life after her ex destroyed it. The awful ex does become part of the story at one point and I was happy with how that situation was resolved. In addition to Nina we also follow Deacon (the property owner), Jake (Deacon's best friend and the architect for the renovation), and Cindy (a professional organizer hired by Deacon). The friendships that form between the characters is great as are the romances that develop between Nina/Deacon and Cindy/Jake. The secondary romance was a nice surprise and was just as good as the primary one. Both romances are given sufficient time to grow and I liked that neither of them jumped into things straight away.
Overall Better Homes and Hauntings was a great read and I will definitely be picking up more books from the author in the future.
July 26, 2014
“Do we have to call it a haunting?” Deacon whined.
“Yes!” the others chorused.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you into a world where 30-ish adults talk and act exactly like teenagers. Not only do they whine, they also giggle,
“You won’t even know I’m here.” Dotty giggled, hopping into Deacon’s lap and giving him a world-class noogie.
headbutt furniture,
He would have whacked his forehead against the desk, but it would have given her too much satisfaction.
hell-if-I-know-what-they're-doing,
Dotty exclaimed, launching herself across the room and throwing her arms around Cindy. The blonde’s knees buckled under the force of Dotty’s enthusiasm, and the women went sprawling to the floor.
last but not least, how can they end things without a...Group Hug?
“I don’t do group hugs,” Jake said, wrinkling his nose.
Cindy’s golden head popped up from the huddle. “Yes, you do!”
Rolling his eyes at the cloudless blue sky, Jake huffed, “Fine.” He wrapped his arms around Cindy and Dotty. “Yep, this is totally comfortable.”
This is precisely where I find the horror in the book, because Deacon and Nina are both seen as teenagers (and quite underage, for that matter) by me, I find it disturbing to read about them making out and having sex. Even the ghosts can't beat that.
And that brings us to another problem...
The mystery:
The mystery they are supposed to solve?
Catherine Whitney might or might not have cheated on her husband, so what? Gerald Whitney might or might not have strangled his wife when he might or might not have found out about the affair she was having with his architect, again I ask, so what? The reason I’m still there for the whole ride is because I actually want to see how the house will end up looking like and that’s all. Because believe it or not, I got this whole thing worked out right from the start. I'm still having trouble believing that it gets these 5 adults to actually spend 318 pages to reach the same conclusion.
The ever-changing POVs:
Don’t even get me started. I don’t even know whose head I’m in while reading. It’s too confusing because the POV just sort of changes without really giving you any warning. This greatly reduces the fun because I have to spend time figuring who are talking at the moment.
Sorry, but that's not exactly how you define a geek:
Deacon Whitney ran a billion-dollar company, and he still wore a comic-book-hero T-shirts. That was sort of adorable.
Yes, it’s indeed adorable. But no, wearing a shirt like that doesn’t mean you’re a geek. It just means that you have a strong heart to accept critics and you simply don’t care what others think but sadly, almost everyone in this whole wide world owns at least one comic-book-hero T-shirt.
Now you may argue that Deacon has a wide collection of action figures, but once again, it only proves that he has a hobby and the money to support that particular hobby. Again, you say he is somewhat socially awkward and hate to disappoint again, just look in the street and you can probably find five out of ten that are socially awkward. Finally, you say he’s the sole programmer/creator of EyeDee, surely that means he’s a geek? It just means that he’s very brilliant and possibly a genius but doesn’t mean he is a geek!
Romance...:
Romance? Are you asking about the romance in this book? Instead of romance, I think you have better luck trying the term people-thinking-they-fall-in-love-because-they’re-secluded-on-an-isolated-island-and-there-isn’t-much-choice. Let’s try to pretend we’re Deacon. First there’s the pretty blonde, which is very much off limit because the best friend is clearly interested in her. Since Deacon is in nowhere a complete douche, it is the only logical idea to leave her alone. Then there’s his cousin, which is off limit too because they practically grow up together and know too much dirty secrets among each other to have that kind of attraction, not to stress about the fact that they are family. And lastly, the redhead gardener.
Now the million dollar question. Who is he going to choose?
At the end of the day, everyone becomes a millionaire.
Want to know how Deacon thinks of Nina?
The fact that she was so ill at ease but still managed to function and care for another person told him all he needed to know about Nina Linden.
Okay. Maybe a genius can see through a person by one action because all I’m getting is Nina’s a kind woman and maybe dependable then nothing more. And what makes Nina thinks that Deacon is an attractive man?
He never let in one of those “paranormal hunters” reality shows, even though it would have been pretty lucrative for him to do so. That showed a certain amount of character.
Well, at least she has the decency to use the word ‘certain’ and not ‘all’.
Overall:
At the end of the book, I am asking myself this question again and again:
I'm sorely disappointed. I have so much fun reading about her Nice Girls series. To be completely honest, I actually consider giving it a 1-star. Have you noticed the long list of status updates? That’s because I’m physically incapable of moving on to the next chapter without ranting about something.
However, since my 1 is reserved for those DNFs, I give it a 2 instead. To justify the 2, I would say that I love Ms Harper's effort in writing about good girlfriends. And practically, that's the only thing I can say. Maybe she's just not really cut out for writing ghosts? Her vampire books certainly have been much wonderful reads.
November 30, 2018
I listened to Better Homes and Hauntings on audible and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrator did a fantastic job. Even though I guessed the true ending about the ghosts, it was still enjoyable to follow the gang as they slowly discovered more about the past, while also moving towards their HEA in their own futures. I loved the friendship which was built between the women, as well as the humour that was littered throughout the story. I wholeheartedly recommend to Harper fans, as well as anyone looking for a fun, light, mysterious read.
June 29, 2014
Nina Linden's job prospects as landscaper have gone rapidly downhill since her former boss has gone psycho and started sabotaging her. Which is why she needs this job, it could restore her reputation whilst giving her some much needed cash flow...so what that the job is a little strange? And that the property she is landscaping is supposedly haunted and cursed for good measure...and that she will now be living there with the rest of the crew, including the billionaire owner, working on the property for the next weeks, what could possibly go wrong?
Molly Harper is one of those authors that I always go to if I know I want to de-stress and finish reading a book with my shoulders finally relaxed and a big ol' smile on my face. Better Homes and Hauntings managed to do just that. I admit, it didn't rock my world and perhaps it isn't a book I would revisit, but whilst I was reading it, it kept me entertained and happy.
I classified this one as a paranormal romance; however, don't expect any vampires or werewolves to show up, this was a haunted house story, with good ghosts and bad ghosts and lots of creepy encounters, strange noises and a few pieces of moving furniture. But, if you are of a delicate disposition I wouldn't worry about having any pillows prepared for hiding purposes, it wasn't scary, in fact it was the opposite, I found myself smiling through this book as read all the different characters interacting.
Better Homes and Hauntings packs a lot in one book, we have five main characters, two couples and a centuries old love story to keep us occupied. The book has all five POVs at some point, which lets you have a feel for each character without truly getting to know any one of them. But, all five of them together were a hoot, I liked that not only did Harper build in two romances, but the friendship between the girls was also really important to and produced some of the best laughs.
A fun read, I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the ghosts and the little bits of romance that was dashed through the book, but mostly I enjoyed the banter between the characters and the laughs, despite the spooky setting, this is a perfect one for some beach reading.
*ARC provided by publisher
June 16, 2019
Lots of funny cute moments.
September 17, 2021
Enjoyable, amusing and really cute. Great ensemble cast of characters. Reminded me a bit of a caper film from the forties. Engaging mystery despite its ghostly nature and portrayal of the setting was well done. Overall it was a carefully constructed and quite well executed tale.
I could have done without the everything tied neatly together in a bow climax scene with the cheesy white light. It seemed a bit trite after the very well done menace in the lead up throughout the story.
Also I would have liked to understand better the limits of what the ghosts could accomplish. It seemed physical and dream manipulation, cold spots, malevolent clouds, possessions, memories viewed from the outside (even the parts they really shouldn't have been able to cover having not been present at the time) and more. I guess it just seemed like a lot of capabilities for ghosts to have all at once.
But hey, who looks for logic in a ghost story right?
Logic would mean everyone would actual LEAVE the cursed and dangerous house. They would flee the island at the first sign of trouble, and then there'd be no story.
Anyway, accept the lack of any kind of logical reaction to finding a legless drowned ghost in your bed (yep, he slept in there again!! Ha!! Won't catch me doing that) and various other inexplicable behaviors by characters who should have honestly been in a state of perpetual, incapacitating fear (rather than roasting smores all la dee da) and just enjoy the ride.
I could have done without the everything tied neatly together in a bow climax scene with the cheesy white light. It seemed a bit trite after the very well done menace in the lead up throughout the story.
Also I would have liked to understand better the limits of what the ghosts could accomplish. It seemed physical and dream manipulation, cold spots, malevolent clouds, possessions, memories viewed from the outside (even the parts they really shouldn't have been able to cover having not been present at the time) and more. I guess it just seemed like a lot of capabilities for ghosts to have all at once.
But hey, who looks for logic in a ghost story right?
Logic would mean everyone would actual LEAVE the cursed and dangerous house. They would flee the island at the first sign of trouble, and then there'd be no story.
Anyway, accept the lack of any kind of logical reaction to finding a legless drowned ghost in your bed (yep, he slept in there again!! Ha!! Won't catch me doing that) and various other inexplicable behaviors by characters who should have honestly been in a state of perpetual, incapacitating fear (rather than roasting smores all la dee da) and just enjoy the ride.
May 13, 2015
Eeeh. Is it just me or the cover model looks like Miley Cyrus?
Anyhoo. I was excited to read this book.This has been on my TBR pile for ages and when I finally had a copy of it, I read it. Immediately.
It did not go well.
First of all, I was not scared. This is ghost story and I was expecting some serious goosebumps. NADA What's scarier than working in a haunted mansion?
Then there was the author's way of writing. It's not just for me, I think. I keep on getting distracted by it.Safe to say she didn't hold my interest very well.
Then the romance...
I love romance. I'm a pervert romantic at heart. Heck, I even romanticize the Lockwood-Lucy loveteam in a middle-grade book! So to say that I was not sold to the couples in this book, is entirely true.
But maybe that's just me and my prickly mood.
Anyhoo. I was excited to read this book.This has been on my TBR pile for ages and when I finally had a copy of it, I read it. Immediately.
It did not go well.
First of all, I was not scared. This is ghost story and I was expecting some serious goosebumps. NADA What's scarier than working in a haunted mansion?
Then there was the author's way of writing. It's not just for me, I think. I keep on getting distracted by it.Safe to say she didn't hold my interest very well.
Then the romance...
I love romance. I'm a pervert romantic at heart. Heck, I even romanticize the Lockwood-Lucy loveteam in a middle-grade book! So to say that I was not sold to the couples in this book, is entirely true.
But maybe that's just me and my prickly mood.
July 1, 2014
Molly Harper has been on my auto-buy list since I first read Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs. She writes fast paced funny, snarky, sweet and sexy romance. I have yet to read anything by her that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed and Better Homes and Hauntings is no exception. And though I am not a fan of ghost stories this book is more like an adult Scooby Doo story. I adore the geek love between Nina and Deacon and there is a fantastic set of secondary characters. For a fun filled romp that will have you laughing out loud read this book.
October 23, 2025
Better Homes and Hauntings by Molly Harper is the story of the refurbishent of a cursed and haunted island mansion now owned by an IT billionaire and reputedly haunted by his great great grandmother who had been murdered. An interesting, cute story with fun characters, although rather predictable and not much of a mystery.
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