Haunted Ever After

Boneyard Key #1

by Jen DeLuca

It's love at first haunting in a seaside town that raises everyone’s spirits from USA Today bestselling author Jen DeLuca.

Small Florida coastal towns often find themselves scrambling for the tourism dollars that the Orlando theme parks leave behind. And within the town limits of Boneyard Key, the residents decided long ago to lean into its ghostliness. Nick Royer, owner of the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, embraces the ghost tourism that keeps the local economy afloat, as well as his spectral roommate. At least he doesn’t have to run air-conditioning.

Cassie Rutherford possibly overreacted to all her friends getting married and having kids by leaving Orlando and buying a flipped historic cottage in Boneyard Key. Though there’s something unusual with her new home (her laptop won’t charge in any outlets, and the poetry magnets on her fridge definitely didn’t read “WRONG” and “MY HOUSE” when she put them up), she’s charmed by the colorful history surrounding her. And she's catching a certain vibe from the grumpy coffee shop owner whenever he slips her a free slice of banana bread along with her coffee order.

As Nick takes her on a ghost tour, sharing town gossip that tourists don't get to hear, and they spend nights side-by-side looking into the former owners of her haunted cottage, their connection solidifies into something very real and enticing. But Cassie's worried she’s in too deep with this whole (haunted) home ownership thing… and Nick's afraid to get too close in case Cassie gets scared away for good.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Audiobook, Contemporary, Fantasy, Contemporary Romance, Ghosts

325 pages, Paperback

First published August 13, 2024

About the author

Jen DeLuca was born and raised near Richmond, Virginia, but now lives in Arizona with her husband and a houseful of rescue pets. She loves latte-flavored lattes, Hokies football, and the Oxford comma. Well Met is her first novel, inspired by her time volunteering as a pub wench with her local Renaissance Faire.

Reviews

[chloé ✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is one of those perfect palette cleansing books that doesn’t take much brain power and is simply a good time. you know the type. one of those books that you'll probably eventually entirely forget but also don't regret reading.

what to expect:

✺ small town vibes (a haunted small town, no less)
✺ real ghost stories + interactions
✺ fmc in her early 30s
✺ florida setting (psa - not really set during the fall)
✺ grumpy mmc
✺ fmc moving on from old life, growing as a person, and moving on to better things for her (go off, girly!)

what i enjoyed

✳ short + sweet
✳ mmc is a barista + coffee shop vibes
✳ the ghosts + their unique personalities
✳ i adore small town settings + getting attached to characters from them
✳ great palette cleanser, quick read, and pretty lighthearted


not my favorite…

⌦ mmc alludes to sleeping with a lot of people and blatantly stares at someone’s boobs at beginning of the book… after meeting the fmc. (i’m just not a fan of players)
⌦ execution of the conflict + lack of communication. (mmc and fmc have an issue and don’t speak for WEEKS.)
⌦ didn’t fully feel the chemistry between the two main characters
⌦ ‘fuck the patriarchy’ was said a few too many times. like sure, okay, but… we get it.

i always love short, cutesy, seasonal books in the fall. this was in no way life changing, yet it’s still the perfect book for october or whenever you want some ghost stories, small town vibes, and a dash of spice.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cosy small-town contemporary grumpy meets sunshine romance with magical realism and mystery is unique, cute, quirky and hauntingly beautiful! This is a tale I will be sure to pick up again and again because ahh I love it so, so much! 🧡 If you love puns as much as I do, you will simply die for (sorry not sorry) all the puns in here. Seriously, do read this. It is full of relatable self-discovery, humour, love – and of course a ghost or two. Perfect for the upcoming spooky season!

“Cassie. I want to be with you.”
She blinked up at him in surprise. “What happened to ‘no pressure, no strings’?”
“You happened.” He reached for that lock of hair that always fell out of her messy bun, catching it to twirl it between his fingers. “Give me all the pressure. All the strings. Lay it on me.”

[ Contains some spoilers ]

PLOT SUMMARY
31-year-old copywriter Cassie Rutherford lives in Orlando and is tired of being the single one in her group of friends: everyone else is either dating someone, married, or having children. Her landlord decides to sell the house she is renting, forcing her to search for somewhere else. Fun times.

After ages of looking and being rejected from several offers, she finds a renovated cottage Hawkins House by the beach in Boneyard Key (a small-town tourist attraction, renowned for being haunted) and is delighted to get it. Little does she know, nobody has actually resided there in years – not since the 1940s, when there was a woman there called Sarah Hawkins, also known as Mean Mrs Hawkins.

All is not well: from being unable to charge up her laptop at home despite the electrics working to threatening messages appearing on the fridge like my house, Cassie is officially spooked. She even considers moving back to Orlando.

She finds refuge in the form of handsome but grumpy 29-year-old Nick Royer who owns the café Hallowed Grounds, across from Hawkins House. Not only does he have amazing coffee and a charging socket she can use, but he has lived here all his life so you might say he “ain’t afraid of no ghost”, and has a ghost roommate called Elmer. Nick decides to give her a tour of the place and show her the finer things about being a ghost town.

As the months change from April to June so too do their feelings, developing into something tender and lovely. Anyone Nick has ever loved has left him, and he knows Cassie is not staying for long, so they decide to have a fling. But there is a dark and scary side to Nick when they get too close. And as new information comes to light, what if things with Sarah are not what they seem?

This is told from the third-person past-tense dual POV of Cassie and Nick.

OVERALL OPINIONS
I have not read anything of Jen DeLuca yet nor have I read anything for ages that has a ghost story or is suited to Halloween so this was refreshing! I really enjoyed this and I am sure I will pick up more of DeLuca’s stories. I ultimately would give this one a 4.75 out of 5.

Wow, this whole story has really unique concepts! I mean, a ghost being able to text message to criticise your work, and another ghost that can use fridge magnets to say they want to watch your TV program? Ingenious idea! It had a decent amount of mystery that kept me turning the pages, which I was able to solve before the big reveal – but the fact I worked it out did not detract from the reveal at all, in fact I was all too pleased. I like that Sarah is not as evil as people think she is and is actually trying to protect them. I actually nearly teared up thinking she was gone!

The plot twist I saw coming was a little odd as an idea but I like it because it serves as a great reminder that there is nothing scarier than misogyny. Unfortunately, some men still treat women like it is the 1900s and this really should not be a thing. Justice for Sarah and all the women who are Sarah. You are seen, you are heard, you are loved.

Though I am not in my thirties yet, I can relate an awful lot to the problems of having friends but not only finding it difficult to arrange to see them because of them being busy but also feeling like we are at different stages in life. I am Cassie, I am the single friend, I want to brag about my accomplishments but fear they will fall on deaf ears, just like that group chat of hers. DeLuca captured the problems of outgrown friendships so well here!

DeLuca mentions in her Acknowledgements section that this is essentially her love letter for and revisit of Florida after living there around 30 years ago. This is really beautiful and the way she wrote this story made me fall in love with Boneyard Key:

In the midnineties, my then-fiancé and I moved to Florida, intending to stay only a year or two. We stayed almost exactly twenty-five years. It was hard saying goodbye to our favorite places... Getting to return to Florida, if only in my mind, while getting to know these characters in Boneyard Key has been such a joy, and I hope you enjoyed the trip with me.

This is the first book of the Boneyard Key series. I assume this will be a trilogy because there are three women covered: Cassie Rutherford, Sophie, and Libby Simpson. I don’t think Sophie has a surname. All the romance storylines have been introduced here and set up nicely for standalones.

👻 Cassie and Nick – this is their story.
📖 Sophie and Theo – I am certain this will be the next book. Sophie hosts the ghost tour in the town, Theo is a historian who runs the local bookshop Boneyard Books which also harbours a museum. He once joined the ghost tour and scoffed at its historical inaccuracy. He is not the only one: when Sarah overhears Sophie’s ghost tour, she is annoyed that Sophie has been inaccurate with the history of Hawkins House and Sophie wants to make this right. Sophie cares very much about the history of the place and does not wish to tarnish it. Reluctantly, Sophie accepts the help of Theo in looking at Sarah’s history for Cassie’s sake. In the epilogue, it is revealed Sophie and Theo are working on a more historically accurate book of Boneyard Key so I assume this will be the plot of the next book. I enjoyed their tension so I am looking forward to hopefully reading their story soon.
🎃 Libby and Ramon – Libby is the granddaughter of Mrs “Nan” Simpson. Nan can communicate with ghosts and Libby helps to run a ghost-hunting business with her called Simpson Investigatons. Ramon was hired by the previous owner as a chef for Hallowed Grounds, so Nick has kept him on as he cooks better. It is revealed through Nick that Ramon has a crush on Libby, and has had since the eighth grade. They are really cute, though their interaction is brief.

This really felt like a Hallmark film and I lowkey hope they make it into one!

<< Positives >>
🠚The cover is adorable! The moment depicted where both of them are on either side of the fence is something that happens a few times in the book. I really love whenever covers depict a scene from within the story. It’s also cute that there are two versions of this cover: the one from Berkley is set in the daytime and the one from Penguin is set at nighttime. I received the Penguin edition but I actually prefer the daytime one. True, Penguin gives far more of the spooky vibes but Berkley’s version is just far more autumnal and cosier.
🠚Cassie and Nick’s relationship is so gorgeous ahh! I can see why some people would have preferred more of an initial tension but I like that Cassie admits they got off to the wrong start and she would like them to start again haha. It was nice. And I like that they secretly admit the other is gorgeous but not in a sexual way. The way Nick goes out of his way to get her the food she misses to apologise was so moving I loved that. And opening up to each other too. Their communication is excellent, very mature. Green flags. I also love the parallel that they both find watching the sunset is not the same without each other. Oh and when Cassie throws that sugar packet at him, I laughed so much!
🠚I like that when the only conflict Cassie and Nick has is because of Mr Hawkins taking over Nick’s mind, and not Nick himself. Because when I tell you my jaw dropped at the same time as Cassie!
🠚I really loved Sarah and Cassie’s friendship and their parallels. They are both in their own ways alone (“Cassie felt like she was fading away, like she’d become a ghost herself”), but the beauty is they find company in each other. Sarah is finally able to communicate with the living world, using Cassie’s magnetic poetry. Cassie goes from being terrified to trying to understand Sarah (shoutout to that one Etsy store for producing more magnets for Cassie to use), amending the house via redecoration and eventually helping Sarah confront her past (or, more specifically, trauma and her husband). Sarah being their wing woman was so sweet – leaving the kiss her message on the fridge for Nick! And I love that at the end, Cassie has grown the cabbage roses for Sarah to tend to.
🠚Also love Cassie’s friendship with Libby and Sophie. Very funny, very wholesome.
🠚The final paragraphs at the end of 3 chapters has that Mrs H pop a message on the fridge. As opposed to the first two sound threating (though actually mean well), the third time is so sweet! She says welcome home. Aww!
🠚Elmer’s concept is interesting, having him able to text Nick or use telepathy to communicate with him. The way he says goodbye is rather amusing and heartwarming “Of course I stuck around for you. You think I really give that much of a sh*t about banana bread”.
🠚I really like all the characters in this town, especially Nan: she was so iconic and hilarious. Do not mess with grandma, for she has a water gun and is not afraid to squirt holy water on you!
🠚The whole mystery element was well constructed. I like that everyone in the town serves a purpose in the story, as this is not easy to do.
🠚The spice is such a finally moment! Dayum, I wished there was more.
🠚Bonus for having a character called Sophie haha! She’s even my height – barely over 5ft!

<< Negatives >>
🠚It was a little confusing at the beginning with a lot of names and lack of information about them.
🠚I wish there had been more to some of Cassie and Nick’s relationship. We go from the “no strings attached” phase to being together quite quickly. It would have been nice if this had been fleshed out some more, or if the “no strings attached” phase happened earlier.
🠚Their first time was where they had done the exorcism. Really, Jen? Haha. I guess it is symbolic but nope.
🠚Cassie’s family is not mentioned much, and I feel like it would have been nice to have somehow included them in the story more. Perhaps a chapter of meeting both Cassie’s and Nick’s family would have worked for this rather than a brief summary paragraph.

CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ Cassie꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ She likes order, just like me. Has cold hands, also like me. She listens to lo-fi music when she works, LIKE MEEE! I like how she goes from being afraid of everything to adapting to the place and even being welcoming of ghosts and their intentions. I think I ended up being like this by the end of the story.
🠚Cassie distancing herself from Nick was done wonderfully well, and setting boundaries because she distrusts him. I like that she does not forgive him very easily, that is rather realistic.
🠚I appreciated that moment where Cassie’s hand “lingered on his cheek, her fingertips tracing his cheekbone” because I’m so used to men doing this to women, it is nice to see it the other way around.
🠚I like that she gets the bravery to stay with Nick, and also to remove herself from the group chat as she now has better friends. Bless!

“I can’t think of a way that my life hasn’t changed recently. What’s one more?”

-ˋˏ ꒰ Nick꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ I love this man with everything I got. Dating apps are not working so I’ll pretend to be lost in his shop– oh wait, he hates tourists, dang it! Can I at least get the banana bread (“hell yeah!”)? Okay but seriously. I love his humour, his blue eyes, his laugh.
🠚Ramon being his therapist was so funny! We love a self-aware man when he says he was picking a stupid fight haha. Thank goodness that was not actually him, or I’d have had problems.
🠚The way Cassie says “If you don’t touch me soon I think I’m gonna scream” and he says “Oh you’re gonna scream no matter what” – with a smirk – excuse meeee!

“There’s nothing defective about you. Not a damn thing.”

FAV QUOTES
• She smiled, and it was like the sun coming out. He wanted to bend toward that smile like a sunflower. It was that smile that made him bold.
• Ghosts were real. Nick was a damn good kisser. She wasn’t sure which one was scarier. Or more exciting.
• “Thanks,” she said, grasping his hand. “For everything.” | He squeezed her hand. “It’s what I’m here for.” It wasn’t until he said the words out loud that Nick realized it was the truest thing he’d ever said. She’d needed his help, and he hadn’t hesitated. He wouldn’t hesitate to do the same thing again.
• “That’s the spirit. No pun intended.”
• Sarah Hawkins hadn’t had a voice for a very long time now, and Cassie was going to do her damnedest to let her use it.
• “The sunsets look so much better with you.” The words were little more than breath, stirring her hair. | “I couldn’t agree more.” Her voice was an answering murmur. She could live the rest of her life in this one moment and be perfectly content.
• She wasn’t supposed to be part of his routine. No pressure, no strings, remember? Yet his favorite thing in the morning was her smile when she walked through his door. And his favorite thing in the evening was the way the sunset threw golden light in her hair, and the way she nestled into the hollow of his shoulder, fitting like a piece of him he hadn’t realized was missing.
• That moment, where it was just her and him there at her front gate, felt like one of those moments you needed to pause, to remember every detail, because it was a moment you were going to remember for the rest of your life. The way Nick’s hands felt, cupping her face. The way his eyelashes were a little spiky as they framed those clear blue eyes of his. The way he smelled faintly of lemon sugar, carried on the light breeze that surrounded them. His voice, his words, the way he talked so fast it was like his mouth was trying to keep up with his brain. Cassie wanted to hold him close and live in this moment for the rest of her life.
• He held her like she was something to be treasured. He kissed her like he was o ering her his entire soul.
• She looked at him with wonder, as though she couldn’t believe he was there. Nick knew the feeling.

══════════ ⋆★⋆ ══════════

I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank Jen DeLuca, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.

[✨Julie✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

✩ 3.25 stars ✩

“Give me all the strings. All the pressure. I want it all with you, Cassie.”

What to Expect:
➼ Grumpy x Sunshine
➼ Small Town Romance
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ A Haunted House
➼ A Town Full of Ghosts
➼ Coffee Shop Owner MMC with Luke Danes Vibes
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Infertility Rep
➼ She’s New to Town
➼ Third Person POV

This started out a little slow, but the cozy vibes won out in the end. Nick reminded me so much of Luke Danes (always a great comparison!) and the town was basically a spooky Stars Hollow.

Cassie struggled with infertility and knew from a young age that she likely would not be able to have children of her own. In her 20s, this knowledge didn’t weigh on her as heavily, but as each of friend’s became mothers, she struggled to find her place among them. She was in desperate need of a change when she found the listing for the house and was shocked when her offer was accepted. After moving in she learns not only that ghosts are real, but that her own house is haunted.

As mysteries go, this one was blindingly obvious. I figured it out immediately and waited impatiently for the characters to catch up. I liked the ghosts but I think they could have had a little more personality. I was a little surprised that Cassie and the other townspeople weren’t more motivated to communicate with the ghosts. If I were them… well honestly if I were them I would move, 😅 but if I were them and I wasn’t creeped out by the ghosts, I would have made my rounds with those magnet words and made attempts to communicate with all the ghosts. Beyond just basic curiosity, I feel bad that they aren’t able to talk to anyone. I also don’t really understand why most of them are hanging around, but it seems like they must have a reason, right? I’m surprised that the living don’t feel that they have a responsibility to help the dead find closure. Hopefully Sophie & Theo will do some more sleuthing in the next book. I feel pretty confident that it will be about them.

I honestly think I might have overhyped this one for myself but once the book got going and I got to know the characters a bit, I did enjoy it in the end. This is a great romance to pick up if you’re looking for a cozy read this fall!

This is completely irrelevant, but I have to say that I got pretty hung up on the author writing out the words “Publix subs” instead of writing “pub subs.” “Publix subs” just sounds so wrong. 😂😂

P.s. If this isn’t Luke Danes coded, I don’t know what is…😆

“Oh. It’s you.” “Thanks a lot. It’s that stellar customer service that keeps me coming back.” But she frowned as she looked around the café. Nick followed her gaze, then he frowned too. Coming out from behind the counter, he stalked to the back table. The one near the outlet. The one that was currently occupied. Theo had been there for almost an hour, nursing that same cup of coffee and reading. “Don’t you have a book store to run?” Theo turned a page, unconcerned, as he shook his head. “I open at noon on Fridays.” “It’s close enough to noon. And that’s her table.” Nick snatched the mostly empty coffee mug. “Let me warm this up for you. In a to-go cup.” Behind him, he heard the thud of Theo snapping his book closed before he followed Nick to the counter. “What the hell?” “Don’t want you to be late.” Nick filled a to-go cup with fresh coffee and pushed it across the counter. Theo took the coffee with a quizzical expression. “Thanks?” “Just looking out for you man.”

Thank you to Jen DeLuca, Net Galley, and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 🤍

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

Pre-read: The Council of Spooky Bitches has spoken and deemed me worthy of the ARC! 🙌🏻 I manifested this one friends! Let’s go ghouls!!

Ooh yes, please! This is my vibe. 👻🧡

[buket · Rating 2 out of 5]

the romance was not it🫣 i wouldn’t even consider this as romance because it gave me zero feelings 💔 but the ghost stories🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️ i stayed for ghosts and they served

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jen DeLuca returns with a twist! Stepping away from the Renaissance Fair realm, she now invites her readers on an exciting journey into the realm of paranormal romance, blending sweetness with sentimentality. As long as her trademark sarcastic humor and compelling characters remain, I'm all in!

Enter a haunted town in Florida, renowned for its ghost tours and eerie locales where tourists seek a thrill. Little do they know, the locals aren't merely cashing in on spooky tales – there might just be some genuine paranormal encounters waiting for them!

Our protagonist, Cassie Rutherford, finds herself at the heart of the story. A native of Orlando, she faces the upheaval of her life when her landlord decides to sell her apartment. With limited funds, she ventures into buying a house in a quaint Florida coastal town, unaware of its dark history. Leaving behind her city life, where friends are settling into domestic bliss, Cassie embraces the change.

But this new town lacks familiar comforts like Starbucks and Publix. However, that's the least of her worries. The historic Hawkins house she purchases might be haunted by the vengeful spirit of its previous owner's wife. Despite her skepticism, Cassie experiences strange occurrences, from malfunctioning plugs to eerie encounters. Seeking solace at the local coffee shop, she meets Nick, the brooding yet charming owner, who brews the perfect hazelnut ice latte and serves up delicious banana bread.

As their encounters grow, Nick reveals his connection to the town's spirits, adding another layer of mystery. When Cassie receives a paranormal message one night, she turns to Nick for assistance.

Now, Cassie must decide whether to flee the town and leave behind any chance of romance with Nick or embrace the unusual life in this ghostly community. Meanwhile, Nick fears losing another woman while trying not to scare Cassie away.

Will they find their happily-ever-after amidst the supernatural chaos? With its paranormal twist and captivating execution, this book is a delightful ride that I highly recommend!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this engaging book in exchange for my honest review.

[DIVINITY&#x1f319;]

Berkeley decided to grace me with arc 🥹❤️

[✨⚡ Kelcey (felinebooktrovert) ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

This was an entertaining, surface level read for me. The characters were likeable and the storyline was engaging, but this lacked some depth.

Prior to reading this, I was wondering why it was set to release in August when it clearly has a spooky vibe, but once you start reading, it makes sense. Even though you're reading about haunted houses and ghosts, this takes place in Florida right on the beach, which definitely takes away some of the spookiness.

I did like the MC's. Cassie was independent and didn't fall all over herself because she was talking to an attractive man and eventually very clearly draws a boundary when things go a little south, and I was happy to see that. Nick was a good guy still dealing with some past relationship issues, but he took to Cassie pretty immediately and was trying to woo her from the start even though it's not in his nature.

But throughout all of this, there isn't really a lot of development to their relationship. They only have one semi-deep discussion about a couple things and the rest is just them casually hanging out. A little disappointing but I liked the story overall.

This is gearing up to be a series, and I'm definitely going to continue on. I mean, the next one (hopefully) will be Theo, the bookstore owner with a little bit of an attitude. Sold.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

[paula ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

Okay this was really sweet, I can't wait to continue this series 🥹

I've loved Cassie and Nick so much, they're so adorable I hope they appear in the next books!

P.S: I hope the next book it's about Sophie and Theo bc I think they're gonna end up together 🤭

[Catherine (alternativelytitledbooks) - still catching up! · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Many thanks to Berkley and Jen DeLuca for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley!**

When you think of the Florida Keys, you MIGHT picture sun, sand, and snorkeling.

But when it comes to Florida's Boneyard Key, the most terrifying entity you'll encounter won't be a shark, or even one of Florida's notorious gators...but a visitor (or two!) from the spirit world!

Let's just say the area is aptly named...and THESE grim grinning ghosts will keep you on your toes!

Cassie Rutherford has found a new home, right in the middle of this coastal, tourist-friendly town, where much to Jack Skellington's would-be delight, the creepy, the kooky, mysterious and spooky are on display all year round. She can't believe she got such a good price on the historic Hawkins House...until she comes to learn that the former inhabitant of the home, Sarah Hawkins (also known to the locals as Mean Mrs. Hawkins) might STILL be around. 👻 She can't get electricity to work in the house...but ONLY when she plugs in her laptop to attempt to work, so Cassie needs to find somewhere with a strong Wi-Fi signal (and of course, an endless supply of caffeine wouldn't hurt!) and she ventures into the center of the tiny town.

When she heads to local coffee shop Hallowed Grounds, however, she finds much more than delectable banana bread (with cinnamon!) and the PERFECT hazelnut latte: she meets barista and owner Nick Royer, whose gruff good looks make her heart skip a beat. She spends more and more time at the coffee shop, falling into a routine...and let's just say Nick is pretty okay with this new arrangement too. Cassie is still hearing plenty of spooky sounds at home, though, and starts to realize that Mrs. Hawkins is trying to communicate with her... but what EXACTLY is she trying to say? After attending the town's local ghost tour, she learns that Mrs. Hawkins is believed to have killed Mr. Hawkins...and for a minute she considers fleeing Boneyard Key for good! But when she learns that Nick is running the cafe with a bit of ghostly aid in the form of its former owner, Elmer, she decides that maybe Mrs. Hawkins can be her ghostly ally rather than a terrifying foe.

With conflicting information from the town's historian and Mrs. Hawkins herself (via word magnets on Cassie's fridge) and so many unanswered questions surrounding the Hawkins House...do Cassie and Nick even have a CHANCE for romance? Or will Nick's normal 'love em and leave em' MO with casual hookups in Boneyard Key doom any chance the pair has for a REAL relationship? And will the ghosts and their unfinished business drive this potential pair apart...and cause Cassie to leave Boneyard Key for the 'safe haven' of Orlando...for good?

I've been curious about Jen DeLuca's particular brand of romance ever since learning of her Well Met series, based around love at the Ren Faire. I am always a bit leery when it comes to a series (especially in romance!) because I've found it can be difficult to keep the intensity, emotion, and creativity going from the first book forward, but since this was an entirely NEW series, I was excited to have the opportunity to check it out and explore the world of Boneyard Key...and I am happy to report there is just enough charm, creativity, and cozy Halloween vibes to make Boneyard Key a go-to spot for a spooky, small-town romance!

First off, as someone who THOROUGHLY enjoys puns...they are well, a-pun-dant! (Okay, so that's not a word...but you know what I mean! 😁) DeLuca's multitude of Halloween-esque references, from the names of store fronts to clever plays on words throughout, are enough to make any Halloween lover grin. Boneyard Key could have come off as INCREDIBLY cheesy, and more like tourist trap than tourist destination, but there is JUST enough in the way of sly nods to be fun here without ever feeling overtly goofy. This gave me such a strong sense of scene from page one, and although I'd say Boneyard Key goes more the way of Sleepy Hollow than Stars Hollow, the small-town energy is ALWAYS present and the intrigue naturally follows.

Cassie and Nick also just make the CUTEST couple and you'll basically want them together from the minute she sets foot in Hallowed Grounds. Although I can't say either of them are the most deep or layered characters I've ever read, Cassie's struggles to find herself when all her friends are in the 'married with children' phase of their lives and Nick's propensity to flit from female to female in casual relationships is honestly all this story can really handle in terms of their own emotional strife. With so much time and focus dedicated to reconciling the problems of the past and Cassie discovering just WHY Mrs. Hawkins earned the "Mean Mrs. Hawkins" moniker, not to mention some fun side characters who help to shed some light on the mystery too, there wouldn't have been too much room for more issues for the pair to work through in terms of relationship.

This also, unfortunately, became a bit of a downside for me as the book wore on. The initial charm of the locale, the excitement of the ghostly communications, and even the flirtations between Cassie and Nick sort of faded in lieu of focus on the Hawkins Mystery and all that surrounded it. Once the pieces finally come together, it becomes incumbent on Cassie and Nick to sort of 'fix the problems' and the denouement was honestly just a bit drawn out. I found myself skimming more towards the ending chapters, and although I wouldn't say the bloom was ENTIRELY off the rose, I honestly got a little bit tired of these two working as ghostly counselors of sorts and just wanted them to focus on their OWN real, flesh and blood relationship. The overall 'message' was also a bit heavy-handed (and somewhat predictable) but nevertheless, I didn't feel 'haunted' by any lingering disappointments, so that was a plus!

And since this is only book one in the series, it seems like the ghosts MIGHT not quite be done talking yet....but we will have to see what exactly might go 'bump' in the night when the next book comes 'round...👀🙈

😉

4 stars, rounded up from 3.5

[Rachel L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boneyard Key is haunted, or at least that's what everyone says. Cassie left Orlando to move to Boneyard Key and doesn't believe in ghosts. But a pesky electricity problem makes it unable for her to work from home and she heads to her local coffee shop to use the free wifi. There she meets the owner Nick and while the two don't hit it off at first, constant interfering ghosts may change that.

I really liked Jen DeLuca's renaissance faire romance series and definitely wanted to give her cozy ghost romance series a try. This was really cute and I had fun following along on Cassie and Nick's romance. It reminded me almost of a haunted Hallmark kind of love story minus any cheesiness and I really grew to love all the characters, alive or dead. This book was also like a love letter to Florida from the author which I think Floridians might love.

An ALC was provided by Libro.fm as a part of the Librarian ALC program

[Snjez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

I enjoyed this more than I expected. Right from the start, I really liked the small town setting and the atmosphere. Even though the story takes place in a hot and humid Florida coastal town during spring/summer months, the fact that the whole town is haunted makes it a perfect read for October.

I liked Cassie and Nick as the main characters. I liked Cassie's independence and how relatable she felt sometimes. Nick gets bonus points for being a bit grumpy coffee shop owner. Their initial dynamics was really fun. The romance is more on the slow-burn side with nothing that exciting happening, but it is equally balanced with a ghost storyline which I was super invested in.

The story is not too spooky, though. It's very light and sweet. I enjoyed learning about the town, meeting all the lovely and quirky characters, including the ghosts, and I liked the friendships. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I have a feeling who it might be about. 🤗

I have to mention how much I love the cover. It captures the characters, the setting and Cassie's house perfectly.

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spooky month read #1

3.75 out of 5 stars!

I would definitely not surprise myself if I pick up this book again in the future!!

Haunted Ever After is perfect for fans of cozy romances with a seasonal twist. DeLuca captures the spirit of Halloween with charm and levity, making it an ideal read for anyone who enjoys romance with a hint of the supernatural and plenty of laughs. It’s a feel-good story about moving forward, finding love, and learning to believe in yourself—even when ghosts are meddling in your love life.
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Ooohh, okay. I'm literally obsessed with this book's night edition. The cover looks like it's in its dark mode.
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A Ren Faire book 5?!

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmm, I don't know how to rate this? On one hand, I liked the setting, the cozy vibes and the ghosts (duh), but on the other, I wasn't completely sold on the romance. The only thing wrong with it, is the lack of chemistry, but pretty much everything else was good (actually, could've used a teensy bit more plot), and I enjoyed the narration. I think I'll settle with a 4, but it's more like a 3.75.

[PalmPages · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca is set in a charming and spooky small town in Florida where romance meets the supernatural. The story follows Cassie Rutherford, who, feeling unsatisfied with her life, moves to the ghostly small town of Boneyard Key.

Strange events start happening to Cassie in her new home, such as messages on her fridge and issues with her laptop charging. To resolve the laptop issue, she visits the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, owned by the grumpy and handsome Nick Royer. As they spend time together, they uncover the history of Cassie's house and its previous owners. Despite not seeking love, Cassie and Nick are attracted to each other.

The novel starts strong with charming characters and a witty, engaging setup. Cassie and Nick's chemistry and the quirky small-town atmosphere are initially captivating. However, the middle of the book feels slow and repetitive, lacking significant plot development. The supernatural elements are underutilized, and the final intimate scene between Cassie and Nick feels rushed and disconnected from the narrative. While Jen DeLuca's writing is witty and the characters likable, the story ultimately loses momentum, leading to a somewhat lacklustre conclusion.

Haunted Ever After is a light, entertaining read that starts well but struggles to maintain its initial charm, earning it a three-star rating. 👻 💻

It was my first novel by Jen DeLuca and it won't be my last.

A massive thank you to Berkley & Netgalley for providing the ARC.

-----------------------------------
Y’all…Berkley found me worthy of an ARC 🥹

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this charming and a welcome development on the author's strengths. I think the addition of a paranormal element that introduced an external conflict was a nice balance to the slow burn, small town romance I've come to enjoy from this author. I'm hoping we get a sequel with Sophie and Theo. All around - a fun & cute read with a more lighthearted tone for a paranormal than we sometimes get

CW - plot intentional/resolved misogyny

[kimberly ☆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was truly boring, like no bad but boringgggggg

2.5 stars

[Fairuz ᥫ᭡. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright, let me just say, I wanted to love this book because the premise was amazing. Jen DeLuca brings us into this adorable small town with a haunted house twist! 🎃 The setting was perfect—a quaint, spooky little town with all the ghostly charm you could ask for. Jen paints a vibrant picture of Boneyard Key that really sets the mood, and the idea of living with a ghostly roommate had me giggling. 👻 The quirky side characters added some light-hearted fun too, and honestly, the book has some great moments that made me smile.

✧ Haunted house 🏚️
✧ Grumpy/sunshine 🌞
✧ Small-town romance 🏘️
✧ Ghostly roommate 👻
✧ New beginnings 🌸

Cassie is a likable lead, and her journey to figure out her life after so many of her friends have already settled down really resonates. It’s that classic single-in-her-30s-finding-herself vibe that’s relatable for a lot of people. I enjoyed seeing her connect with the town and the spirit inhabiting her house, which could’ve been a recipe for some unique character growth. 🌟

However, despite all this great stuff going for it, the book just didn’t fully click for me. The pacing felt slow and, honestly, a bit boring at times. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never quite got there. 😬

And the romance? Well… it fell a little flat. While Nick, the grumpy coffee shop owner, had all the makings of a swoon-worthy love interest, the chemistry between him and Cassie was pretty lackluster. There were moments that had potential, but the connection just wasn’t strong enough to really pull me in. I found myself wanting more tension, more sparks, more oomph—but the romance just never heated up. 😕 It’s definitely on the slow-burn side, but in this case, the slow burn ended up being more of a flicker than a flame.

All in all, Haunted Ever After has a lot of charm, with its whimsical setting and ghostly shenanigans, but it just didn’t have the momentum or sizzling romance I was hoping for. If you’re into a light, easy read with a touch of the supernatural, this might be your vibe.

[Noi (in & out)]

DNF - 33%

It's a story about a woman moving into a haunted town. Her house is a big mystery even for the townsfolk and they are all intrigued. The MMC is a coffee shop owner and is also one of the founding 12 families that have a ghostly connection. They don't get along straight off the bat but later on, some romantic interactions develop.

It's not badly written, but it is more on the slow side. The romance is not enough to get me invested. It's cozy, a little mysterious, with low-stakes.

Given that I am trying to knock out this slump I'm in, I just don't feel like reading past this point where I already feel like I'm pushing myself and not really engaging.

[Heather myfriendsdontread · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a PERFECT spooky season book! It’s an adorable, fluffy romance, FILLED with ghosts 😍

The main character doesn’t believe in ghosts, but spontaneously moves to “Boneyard Key” in Florida - a small town that completely leans into their haunted history.

At first, she thinks it’s all a tourist trap, but the more time she spends there with the cute, haunted cafe owner, the more her skepticism dissolves and she realizes that ghosts are just a fact of life.

The entire town is jam packed with ghosts who are as much a part of the small community as the living residents are. The story follows our FMC and MMC as they try to solve the mysteries of her own haunted house.

The vibes of this were PERFECT for spooky season! I wasn’t expecting as much of a ghost and haunting plot as we get in this, so I was extremely happy.

The characters felt like real people to me, and I was rooting for their love story the entire time.

But my favorite part of this entire book was that it’s set in Florida, and the author wrote that setting EXTREMELY WELL. As a Floridian, she completely captured what it’s like the live in Florida. The hurricanes, the humidity, the casual atmosphere, the tourism, the ridiculous obsession some people have with Publix subs 😂

As a Floridian (who also works remote like the FMC) everything felt so real to me. Like the story could almost be true and that I could take a quick drive to visit the characters. I was completely immersed in the story and the setting.

The romance is absolutely lovely and very realistic to me. The spice is mostly kisses and tension throughout the story and one detailed spicy scene towards the end.

I wish I could re-read this for the first time 😭

Oh, and the audio book is fantastic too!

[Sheyla ✎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A romance with a side of haunting!

Cassie Rutherford has left her home in Orlando and moved to Boneyard Key, a coastal town in Florida known for its ghost folklore. She scored a great deal on the historic Hawkins House—one thing the realtor conveniently forgot to mention? It’s haunted!

Cassie doesn’t believe in ghosts, but strange things keep happening—like her laptop refusing to stay charged. With no choice but to head to the nearest coffee shop, Hallowed Grounds, she finds herself frequenting the place. At first, she’s not too fond of the barista, Nick Royer, but the more they interact, the happier she is to see him. There’s just one little problem—Nick believes in ghosts… and he might be right after all!

Having enjoyed the Well Met series by Jen DeLuca, I couldn’t pass up Boneyard Key, and it didn’t disappoint. The town was picturesque, and both the main and secondary characters brought plenty of charm. A delightful romance with just the right touch of paranormal intrigue!

I can't wait to read the next one in this series!

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Berkley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

[Linz_loves_books (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank You NetGalley, Jen Deluca, and Berkley Publishing for granting me access to an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.

3.5 ⭐️s rounded up

Haunted Ever After is a cozy story mixed with a little bit of spooky and heartwarming romance perfect for the fall season. Not to mention this cover is absolutely beautiful and grabbed my attention from the very beginning. I devoured this little gem and can’t wait to reread it around fall.

This story takes place in Boneyard Key, a small town in Florida known for its tourism and ghostly reputation. Cassie, our FMC, recently purchased a home in this small town with hopes of starting a new life, finding out later that her home is much more than the eye can see. After Cassie keeps having electrical issues she finds herself at a local cafe called Hallowed Grounds, where she meets Nick, our MMC. Nick, a man determined to maintain his family legacy, not only inherits some of Hallowed Grounds original recipes but also the very vocal and hilarious opinions of the cafes previous owner. As Nick helps Cassie learn about the history of the small town and all of the special residents a slow burn romance begins to form. However, will the history of Boneyard Key become too much for Cassie and will their relationship withstand it?

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so, so, so much. The chemistry, the banter, the ghosts, the endometriosis rep... all of it! I'm so happy to have finally read a Jen DeLuca book and to have seen for myself why she's such a beloved author, and I'm especially happy I got to read it with my best friend. ♥ Full review coming later!

Buddy read with Malli!

[hailee · Rating 3 out of 5]

the setting was SO GOOD. but unfortunately, i cared more about the ghost plot & side characters than the main romance.

[Erin Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it so much!

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute mix of rom-com and cozy mystery and I definitely enjoyed it. The romance is slow which worked for me but not for everyone. I will say the mystery wasn’t very mysterious but it worked for the story and for the romance. Cassie decided to buy a home, but she had to go far from Orlando and lands in a small tourist coastal town of Boneyard Key. She meets Nick, who owns the local coffee shop and while they have poor first impressions of each other but that irritation quickly turns to attraction. But as Cassie soon realizes Boneyard Key has some secrets. Ghosts are more present than normal and while Cassie doesn’t want to believe it, but she’s then forced to. Something strange is happening at Cassie’s house but is it the kind of problem she can solve? This was a quick and fun read which I enjoyed a lot. I enjoy Jen Deluca and I am pleased this is listed as the first book in Boneyard Key series but this is a world I would enjoy to visit.

[Jess Owens]

DNF @20%. This is fine. But that’s it, it’s fine. It feels very Hallmark esque? The main characters bore me, I feel no chemistry. So I’m out

[Mai H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed a lot of this, but for me, it lacked the magic of the Ren Faire series. However, it's a great spooky season read (I'm a day early) if you're a wimp and don't like true horror.

Cassie leaves Orlando, partly because she can't afford to buy a home there, and partly because her friend group have all become moms and the group chat continuously leaves her behind. I'm not blaming people for being mothers, but a good majority of them, pre-babies, make promises they don't keep. I had one friend shift views entirely, and tell me, "Now that I'm a mom..."

Anyway, this isn't about me. This is about Cassie. She moves to Boneyard Key, the most haunted town in Florida. She buys a cute bungalow for a shockingly low price. Turns out, the house already has an owner. She never left.

Of course, this is a Jen DeLuca book, so we have romance. Nick is a local. He took over Hallowed Grounds coffee shop after several out of towners couldn't handle the original owner, who never left the establishment. A grumpy, micromanaging ghost that texts? Get out.

There were some things that made me cringe, especially from Nick's end. I know this was due to something else, but I wasn't a fan. And everything gets wrapped up pretty neatly, but that's the beauty of contemporary romance. You know the ending. You don't always know the beginning or middle.

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it when you are entertained by a story. This author got it right with this one. Set in a small town known for its haunted houses and areas, moving here might get you your own spooky roommate or two.

DeLuca sets the mark with a series and story based on this haunted town. Focused on two main characters who are perfect for each other, the story blooms right along with their slow-burn relationship.

While Haunted Ever After does have some ups and downs as with everything else in life, there are so many positive vibes that are developed throughout the story. Both characters are working through difficulties, but their immediate connection is great.

Fresh, fun, flirty, and a feel-good story that leaves you with a smile! I loved the setting, the unique plot, and the entertainment the author brings along with her writing.

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**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
** Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/haunted-ever...

[Lilyya ♡]

ommg a new jen deluca romance ????!

[Brittany (whatbritreads) · Rating 1 out of 5]

*Thank you to Penguin Micahel Joseph for sending me a copy of this to review!*

I really thought I could justify giving this book a two star rating, but the more I think about it .. this book was so annoying, and silly, and just all round quite bad. I didn’t like any of it. Sorry. About to have a big cheeky rant just because I can, and I need to get these thoughts out of me. There’s a lot to cover, brace yourself.

Writing wise, the phrases used here were so repetitive it was driving me nuts. Every other sentence there was a reference to iced hazelnut lattes, variations of banana bread, or thinking about Publix subs, and it drove me a little bit crazy. The writing felt quite lazy and uncreative in that aspect, and it made for a really dull reading experience. Plot wise, there’s an underlying ghost narrative that I found again very bland and underdeveloped. None of it felt real or engaging to me. And other than that, these characters actually had nothing else going on. There wasn’t anything moving this book forward and it made it so every chapter felt like more of the same. Just so repetitive and dry and I couldn’t have cared less about any of it.

Despite this book technically being a slowburn, it still felt like an instalove situation. The characters have roughly three makeout sessions in a month or two, and by the end of the book they’re making big sweeping declarations of love and saying all of this fake deep nonsense about how their lives have changed. Eurgh. I am a hopeless soppy romantic person ok but these two people were boring as hell, and had literally no chemistry or development. There was no tension or build up of their relationship, they just jumped into romance super quickly. I don’t even feel like I know them as people. Nick works in a cafe and can talk to ghosts and his girlfriend left him. She (barely) works as a graphic designer and has bought a haunted house and likes Publix subs. That’s literally their entire personality. They don’t even do anything interesting in the book, or have interest or hobbies or even friends and family. And the other three very minor characters in this very poorly fleshed out small town do NOT count. It was just… rubbish. They sleep together ONCE and she asks him to move in? Worms for brains.

I had a massive problem with Nick, and the way the author chose to write his character arc. Firstly, it was stupid. But secondly, he was written and came across to me as the most unappealing man to ever exist. His initial abruptness and straight up rudeness to Cassie was not giving charming grumpy to me, it was giving entitled, stuck up, a-hole. He rubbed me up the wrong way completely, and from that point forward he just seemed to fall lower in my estimations. This man was a loser, and I can’t read a romance book where you’re trying to convince me to fall in love with and empathise with a loser - it’s not happening, sorry! He’s ridiculously insecure and childish, holding grudges and taking his emotions out on this girl he’s only just met because his last girlfriend left him … 5 years ago? Mate, get a GRIP.

On to the stupid bit of Nick’s character, he was a raging misogynist. The things that were coming out of his mouth FLOORED me. I actually gasped and had to take pictures of what I was reading because I couldn’t believe it. He’d only kissed Cassie once when she expressed that maybe she’d taken on too much and she was out of her depth and may need to sell the house and move back home when he lost his marbles. He started spewing all of this rubbish about how there’s something wrong with women these days because all they do is focus on themselves and their career, and what about their husbands and children? It was just bonkers. It gave massive control freak energy, and he clearly had a lot of built up bitterness and resentment from his past relationship that he needs to get over before burdening somebody else with it. There’s also a scene where he’s criticising his ex-girlfriend for leaving him behind when all she did was progress her career and want to better herself. She didn’t even do anything wrong but live her own life, and he’s trying to make her the villain.

And before someone says ‘oh it wasn’t Nick! He gets a redemption arc and is forgiven!’ … are you out of your mind?! The author really uses the excuse of Nick being POSSESSED BY A SPIRIT to explain the vulgar, outdated nonsense he spews. It’s not even explicitly said, just suggested. I am not taking that as an answer. And he’s all like ‘I’m such a good guy! Ask the two people that know me!’ in response to it all and it’s so icky. He never apologises, he never unpacks what he said and why it hurt Cassie so much.. They just seemingly very briskly move on and sweep it under the rug. So many aspects of this book are mentioned briefly and abandoned, it had a massive issue with being very shallow. Why on Earth is being possessed by a ghost and making you a misogynist even a possibility in the writing of your romance book? That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. And the worst part of it all, is that I saw it coming a mile off. It was predictable, and stupid. Also - he called another character a bitch without even being supposedly possessed and that still gave me a massive ick. Such a red flag. I don’t care if he was referring to a ghost that’s haunting a house.. A man calling a woman a bitch under any circumstances is abhorrent.

The icing on the cake was then having Cassie perform some sort of exorcism on Nick when he’s possessed and she kills the spirit by saying she’s a strong independent woman, who bought her own house, and she also has the right to vote, and doesn’t have a husband etc. A lot of white feminism, girl power idiocy that actually worked? And the ghost just collapses and every problem in the book is solved? Honestly guys, I’ve never read anything so vapid in my life. This reads like a parody.

Bland, boring, brainless.