What do you think?
Rate this book
Greenview Manor Tales #5
Spellbinding Spirit
When the spirits call, you have to protect her.
Catherine
Some people think I’m a conundrum. University professor by day, hunting ghosts by night. But it all makes sense to me. The only person that understands me is Sebastian. I’m not sure where I would be without my best friend on my side. And now he has arranged for me to investigate some strange occurrences at the hotel he works. This promises to become a night to remember.
Sebastian
I have been night manager for so many years; the thought of returning to a “normal” life when I take up my new position as Front of House Manager makes me feel excited but also a tad nervous. Lucky for me, I can spend my last night shift with my favourite person in the world. Do I think Cat is a bit crazy for chasing spirits? Maybe. But I like her craziness, I like her passion, and if it means I can spend a night with her, I’m even willing to believe in ghosts.
Catherine
Some people think I’m a conundrum. University professor by day, hunting ghosts by night. But it all makes sense to me. The only person that understands me is Sebastian. I’m not sure where I would be without my best friend on my side. And now he has arranged for me to investigate some strange occurrences at the hotel he works. This promises to become a night to remember.
Sebastian
I have been night manager for so many years; the thought of returning to a “normal” life when I take up my new position as Front of House Manager makes me feel excited but also a tad nervous. Lucky for me, I can spend my last night shift with my favourite person in the world. Do I think Cat is a bit crazy for chasing spirits? Maybe. But I like her craziness, I like her passion, and if it means I can spend a night with her, I’m even willing to believe in ghosts.
116 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2025
4 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Dani Elias
47 books219 followersAuthor Dani Elias loves writing about British working-class hotties and the women who are their happily-ever-after. Her stories are short, sweet & steamy.
She lives in the South of England and has a great passion for travel, something that does appear in her books as well.
To stay up to date on new releases, copy and paste this link to a new window and sign up: www.daniebooks.com/sign-up
Follow her on Instagram (@dani_elias_books) and Facebook (@DaniEliasBooks)
She lives in the South of England and has a great passion for travel, something that does appear in her books as well.
To stay up to date on new releases, copy and paste this link to a new window and sign up: www.daniebooks.com/sign-up
Follow her on Instagram (@dani_elias_books) and Facebook (@DaniEliasBooks)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
December 1, 2025
Spellbinding Spirit is part of a series, but I'd be a stand-alone book within the series and can be read in any order.
We follow the POV of two main characters; Catherine and Sebastian, who have been best friends for a long time.
Catherine is a university professor and ghost hunter, and Sebastian works as a night manager in a hotel that is supposedly haunted. When he changes his job from night-manager to the daytime position of Front of House manager, it brings the perfect opportunity for Catherine to do some ghost hunting at night in the attic of the hotel with Sebastian as her aide.
The book features a dual timeline in the story as we learn of the heartbreak and loss of a young couple from wartime, and then their own friendship starts to heat up between them.
This is a quick novella read so I won't add any more information but I thought it was sweet, spicy, loved that the main characters were middle aged and the ghost story elements were really well woven into the story. This was my first book from this author but I will definitely be reading more.
We follow the POV of two main characters; Catherine and Sebastian, who have been best friends for a long time.
Catherine is a university professor and ghost hunter, and Sebastian works as a night manager in a hotel that is supposedly haunted. When he changes his job from night-manager to the daytime position of Front of House manager, it brings the perfect opportunity for Catherine to do some ghost hunting at night in the attic of the hotel with Sebastian as her aide.
The book features a dual timeline in the story as we learn of the heartbreak and loss of a young couple from wartime, and then their own friendship starts to heat up between them.
This is a quick novella read so I won't add any more information but I thought it was sweet, spicy, loved that the main characters were middle aged and the ghost story elements were really well woven into the story. This was my first book from this author but I will definitely be reading more.
February 7, 2025
Professor and ghost hunter Catherine team up with her bestie Sebastian who works at Greenview Manor for an unforgettable experience!
Cat wants to run an investigation at the manor in hopes of making contact with a WWI era maid. Thankfully Sebastian is able to set everything up for her. He would do anything for Cat but neither of them have wanted to risk crossing the line.
As Cat researches Sally and her love, George (who never came home from the war), she learns about their story and so much more.
This was a really interesting story to combine the love stories (yes 2) and the historical aspect. This is no overly paranormal but does open your eyes to love and beyond.
It’s always great to read more about the Manor and see where things will lead!
Thank you to author, Dani Elias, and Happily Booked PR, for the opportunity to read this epub. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Cat wants to run an investigation at the manor in hopes of making contact with a WWI era maid. Thankfully Sebastian is able to set everything up for her. He would do anything for Cat but neither of them have wanted to risk crossing the line.
As Cat researches Sally and her love, George (who never came home from the war), she learns about their story and so much more.
This was a really interesting story to combine the love stories (yes 2) and the historical aspect. This is no overly paranormal but does open your eyes to love and beyond.
It’s always great to read more about the Manor and see where things will lead!
Thank you to author, Dani Elias, and Happily Booked PR, for the opportunity to read this epub. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 8, 2025
Welcome back to the Greenview Manor Hotel!
This is one of these books where you really want to make sure and read the foreword and the prologue!
This is a quick read that will have a hard time putting down. I loved Cat and Seb and how we actually follow two different couples...and one is from the past. I really enjoyed the paranormal angle to this story and loved Cat and Seb together. They had this wonderful friendship first and I liked that they were both a little older!
Seb is a bit of a sceptic when it comes to ghosts but I loved how supportive he was of Cat. I have enjoyed all the of Greenview Manor tales - be sure and read the epilogue!
✨What To Expect:
🇬🇧British Small Town
🌶️Spicy Novella
🔥Romantic Suspense
💙He Falls First
💘Friends to Lovers
💋Strong FMC
💚MC’s in Their 40’s
This is one of these books where you really want to make sure and read the foreword and the prologue!
This is a quick read that will have a hard time putting down. I loved Cat and Seb and how we actually follow two different couples...and one is from the past. I really enjoyed the paranormal angle to this story and loved Cat and Seb together. They had this wonderful friendship first and I liked that they were both a little older!
Seb is a bit of a sceptic when it comes to ghosts but I loved how supportive he was of Cat. I have enjoyed all the of Greenview Manor tales - be sure and read the epilogue!
✨What To Expect:
🇬🇧British Small Town
🌶️Spicy Novella
🔥Romantic Suspense
💙He Falls First
💘Friends to Lovers
💋Strong FMC
💚MC’s in Their 40’s
January 21, 2025
I just love a good friends to lovers book and Spellbinding Spirit was it. Sebastian and Cat have been friends for close to 20 years but have never wanted to jeopardize that friendship, no matter how they feel about each other. Sebastian works at the Greenvview Manor and Cat is a parapsychology professor. She comes up to visit and do a paranormal investigation at the manor. There have been sightings of a maid from WW1 that said to have unalived herself after her beloved neve returned from the war. So Cat and Sebastian set up trying to talk to Sally and George. During the investigation, they believe they talk to Sally and the charged energy leads them to finally act on their feelings for each other. Cat discovers more information about George and what happened to him during the war. Will this information help Sally find peace? Will Sebastian and Cat make their relationship work?
February 18, 2025
Sebastian and Catherine are best friends. They each feel like there may be more between them, but they don't want to ruin the friendship. Cat has a career in parapsychology and she is focused on a maid named Sally, who happens to be located in the attic of the manor Sebastian works at. Sally lost her love, George, in WW1 and she died then too. She is not at peace… and Cat wants to give her peace. George wants to help Cat…As they solve this mystery, Sebastian and Catherine feel the pull to each other.
This is a novella, but there is so much to this story and I *love* that! Sebastian and Cat have such chemistry and they are fiery Hot!!! The story of George and Sally is heartbreaking and beautiful. The way everything ties together is lovely. I found this story breathtaking.
This is a novella, but there is so much to this story and I *love* that! Sebastian and Cat have such chemistry and they are fiery Hot!!! The story of George and Sally is heartbreaking and beautiful. The way everything ties together is lovely. I found this story breathtaking.
February 7, 2025
*𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4.5 ⭐
*𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 3.0 🌶️
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
🆀🆄🅸🅲🅺 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂
This is my second Dani Elias read, and I am now a fan! 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 is book 5 in Elias’ 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒔 series but it can be read as a standalone (this is what I did, and I fully enjoyed the story). As a short story/novella, I found it to be a quick and easy read, and I was able to read it all in just a few sittings.
First, I have to say that I really liked that Elias’ MCs are almost always 40+ (from the books that I have read of hers thus far). I also love how much she is able to give us readers in such a short amount of time! Though short, her stories leave you feeling like you got a complete story with well-rounded characters and great plots. The pacing was fast-paced and keeps the reader engaged from the beginning to the end. There was a bit of mystery as it relates to Sally and George’s story so that really kept me on my toes. Like Cat and Sebby, I really wanted to know what happened to George. This made the book a true page-turner.
As for the characters, I enjoyed Cat & Sebby’s story but adding Sally & George’s love story was a real bonus and I was so invested in their love! 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 was a great read with two timelines used to tell the stories of both the MCs and the secondary main characters Sally and George. I also liked the historical nature and paranormal/ghost hunting aspects of the story. These parts were both entertaining and educational. My soul hurt for Sally when we finally found out what really happened to George, it was so heartbreaking, but I was content with the fact that this brought some peace to Sally knowing she was not abandoned by George.
Sebby and Cat were so cute and made for each other. I really liked that though Sebby was not really a believer of ghosts in the beginning, he still chose to support and encourage his best friend in helping her find out why Sally was choosing to haunt Greenview Manor. He pushed her to find out more about George and to bring peace to Sally.
Finally, I really liked how the storylines of the two couples were interwoven. Through Sally & George’s story, Sebby & Cat finally came to the realization that nothing in life is promised, and we have to let the ones we love know how we feel about them now because we never know what tomorrow will bring. Through these two couples, the author seeks to show the reader that we should not allow our fears of the unknown to cause us to miss out on happiness and love.
Overall, I enjoyed this read very much and I really look forward to reading more from Dani Elias in the future.
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅾 🅴🆇🅿🅴🅲🆃
📖 Novella
👫 Best Friends to Lovers
📜 Historical Romance (Discussion of First World War)
👻 Paranormal Activity (Ghost Hunter FMC)
👩❤️ 👨40+ Years Old MC
👩 👩 Strong FMCs
❔❕Suspenseful Romance
🏡 Small British Town
🌶️ Spicy Open Door Romance
🅵🅰🆅🅾🆁🅸🆃🅴 🆀🆄🅾🆃🅴🆂/🆂🅰🆈🅸🅽🅶🆂
🩶 “‘But for the record I don’t believe in ghosts.’ ‘You don’t have to….I know you believe in me.’”
🩶 “‘F*ck. I don’t think I ever wanted anyone or anything more than you right now.’”
🩶 “I’m done waiting for the perfect moment, because if tonight has taught me anything it’s that the perfect moment might never come.”
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
* 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 & 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 5.0 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒆
*𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 3.0 🌶️
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
🆀🆄🅸🅲🅺 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂
This is my second Dani Elias read, and I am now a fan! 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 is book 5 in Elias’ 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒔 series but it can be read as a standalone (this is what I did, and I fully enjoyed the story). As a short story/novella, I found it to be a quick and easy read, and I was able to read it all in just a few sittings.
First, I have to say that I really liked that Elias’ MCs are almost always 40+ (from the books that I have read of hers thus far). I also love how much she is able to give us readers in such a short amount of time! Though short, her stories leave you feeling like you got a complete story with well-rounded characters and great plots. The pacing was fast-paced and keeps the reader engaged from the beginning to the end. There was a bit of mystery as it relates to Sally and George’s story so that really kept me on my toes. Like Cat and Sebby, I really wanted to know what happened to George. This made the book a true page-turner.
As for the characters, I enjoyed Cat & Sebby’s story but adding Sally & George’s love story was a real bonus and I was so invested in their love! 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 was a great read with two timelines used to tell the stories of both the MCs and the secondary main characters Sally and George. I also liked the historical nature and paranormal/ghost hunting aspects of the story. These parts were both entertaining and educational. My soul hurt for Sally when we finally found out what really happened to George, it was so heartbreaking, but I was content with the fact that this brought some peace to Sally knowing she was not abandoned by George.
Sebby and Cat were so cute and made for each other. I really liked that though Sebby was not really a believer of ghosts in the beginning, he still chose to support and encourage his best friend in helping her find out why Sally was choosing to haunt Greenview Manor. He pushed her to find out more about George and to bring peace to Sally.
Finally, I really liked how the storylines of the two couples were interwoven. Through Sally & George’s story, Sebby & Cat finally came to the realization that nothing in life is promised, and we have to let the ones we love know how we feel about them now because we never know what tomorrow will bring. Through these two couples, the author seeks to show the reader that we should not allow our fears of the unknown to cause us to miss out on happiness and love.
Overall, I enjoyed this read very much and I really look forward to reading more from Dani Elias in the future.
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅾 🅴🆇🅿🅴🅲🆃
📖 Novella
👫 Best Friends to Lovers
📜 Historical Romance (Discussion of First World War)
👻 Paranormal Activity (Ghost Hunter FMC)
👩❤️ 👨40+ Years Old MC
👩 👩 Strong FMCs
❔❕Suspenseful Romance
🏡 Small British Town
🌶️ Spicy Open Door Romance
🅵🅰🆅🅾🆁🅸🆃🅴 🆀🆄🅾🆃🅴🆂/🆂🅰🆈🅸🅽🅶🆂
🩶 “‘But for the record I don’t believe in ghosts.’ ‘You don’t have to….I know you believe in me.’”
🩶 “‘F*ck. I don’t think I ever wanted anyone or anything more than you right now.’”
🩶 “I’m done waiting for the perfect moment, because if tonight has taught me anything it’s that the perfect moment might never come.”
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
* 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 & 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 5.0 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒆
February 22, 2025
"When the spirits call, you have to protect her."
Spellbinding spirit is the 5th book in the greenview manor series and can be read as a standalone. But I suggest reading them all. There are fantastic reads. This time we get to go on a wild adventure with Catherine and Sebastian.
I really really loved this series, the way the authors brought each character to life, making us feel like we where experiencing everything along side them is just truly amazing. I just couldn't get enough of them and theirs stories.
It's another fast paced, super quick novella that's heartwarming and so sweet. I couldn't put it down once I started I was hooked from start to finish. The characters where amazing, the storyline was written wonderfully and the plot was amazing. But I don't expect anything less from Dani. She always sucks her readers in and gives them a ride of their lives. It's action packed with loads and will definitely tug on your heartstrings.
I'm sad to see this series end, but I know we will meet more amazing new characters and stories to go along with the rest. I can't wait to see what she brings us next. Highly recommend !
Catherine and Sebastian are best friends they have known each other for a very long time. Catherine is a professor at a university by day and by night she's out chasing ghosts. She's super excited to go explore where Sebastian works as there's things been happening that can't be explained. Also seb is head over heels but doesn't want to rock the boat but all that will change. On the night they will never forget.
My favourite quotes from the book ⬇️⬇️
"But for the record I don’t believe in ghosts.’ ‘You don’t have to….I know you believe in me."
"Fuck. I don’t think I ever wanted anyone or anything more than you right now."
"I’m done waiting for the perfect moment, because if tonight has taught me anything it’s that the perfect moment might never come."
Spellbinding spirit is the 5th book in the greenview manor series and can be read as a standalone. But I suggest reading them all. There are fantastic reads. This time we get to go on a wild adventure with Catherine and Sebastian.
I really really loved this series, the way the authors brought each character to life, making us feel like we where experiencing everything along side them is just truly amazing. I just couldn't get enough of them and theirs stories.
It's another fast paced, super quick novella that's heartwarming and so sweet. I couldn't put it down once I started I was hooked from start to finish. The characters where amazing, the storyline was written wonderfully and the plot was amazing. But I don't expect anything less from Dani. She always sucks her readers in and gives them a ride of their lives. It's action packed with loads and will definitely tug on your heartstrings.
I'm sad to see this series end, but I know we will meet more amazing new characters and stories to go along with the rest. I can't wait to see what she brings us next. Highly recommend !
Catherine and Sebastian are best friends they have known each other for a very long time. Catherine is a professor at a university by day and by night she's out chasing ghosts. She's super excited to go explore where Sebastian works as there's things been happening that can't be explained. Also seb is head over heels but doesn't want to rock the boat but all that will change. On the night they will never forget.
My favourite quotes from the book ⬇️⬇️
"But for the record I don’t believe in ghosts.’ ‘You don’t have to….I know you believe in me."
"Fuck. I don’t think I ever wanted anyone or anything more than you right now."
"I’m done waiting for the perfect moment, because if tonight has taught me anything it’s that the perfect moment might never come."
January 27, 2025
Spellbinding Spirits by Dani Elias
This was a fast paced Novella and a sweet romance. It follows Sebastian and Catherine who have been the best of friends for over 20 years, not wanting to cross that unspoken boundary again for fear of ruining their friendship.
Seb is the manager at Greenview Manor Hotel and Cat is a parapsychology professor who does paranormal investigating. Cat comes to Sebs hotel for a visit to try to reach the spirit of a maid from WW1 and reunite her with her beloved who never returned from the war. Seb is a skeptic however helps his friend with this endeavor anyway. During the paranormal investigation and the energy that was out off by what presumed to be spirit of the maid, a spark rekindled between Cat and Seb. Will Cat and Seb realize that taking a chance with their love for each other overweighs the risk of missing out on what their life should be.
I liked that the MMC/FMC were older and how this story integrated the history behind WWI in Britain and the effects it had on soldiers and their loved ones. Be sure to read the dedication. It is a quick enjoyable read. I would recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
* I received a free copy (ARC) of this book from Happily Booked PR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a fast paced Novella and a sweet romance. It follows Sebastian and Catherine who have been the best of friends for over 20 years, not wanting to cross that unspoken boundary again for fear of ruining their friendship.
Seb is the manager at Greenview Manor Hotel and Cat is a parapsychology professor who does paranormal investigating. Cat comes to Sebs hotel for a visit to try to reach the spirit of a maid from WW1 and reunite her with her beloved who never returned from the war. Seb is a skeptic however helps his friend with this endeavor anyway. During the paranormal investigation and the energy that was out off by what presumed to be spirit of the maid, a spark rekindled between Cat and Seb. Will Cat and Seb realize that taking a chance with their love for each other overweighs the risk of missing out on what their life should be.
I liked that the MMC/FMC were older and how this story integrated the history behind WWI in Britain and the effects it had on soldiers and their loved ones. Be sure to read the dedication. It is a quick enjoyable read. I would recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
* I received a free copy (ARC) of this book from Happily Booked PR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 22, 2025
I received an ARC but all thoughts are my own.
This was a really short and sweet romance! It follows Seb & Cat, who have been friends forever. Seb manages a hotel, and Cat is a professor who does paranormal investigating. Cat finally gets the chance to investigate the hotel where Sebastian works. What follows are two people who finally come together, plus a rather sad and heartbreaking side story.
First, I love that both MC's were older, I believe in their 40's. As I get older myself, I love finding books that feature older MC's. I don't always have the patience for 20 somethings or the college settings that I use to love. The paranormal side of things was really fun. I love that even though Seb is a skeptic, he still helped out Cat when asked. He supports her and doesn't criticize her. The secondary romance centered around the spirit haunting the hotel was really touching. You can tell the author did their research.
In the end, I really enjoyed this read! It kept me hooked from the start, the plot flowed nicely, and the relationship between the MC's felt natural. A very solid friends to lovers story.
This was a really short and sweet romance! It follows Seb & Cat, who have been friends forever. Seb manages a hotel, and Cat is a professor who does paranormal investigating. Cat finally gets the chance to investigate the hotel where Sebastian works. What follows are two people who finally come together, plus a rather sad and heartbreaking side story.
First, I love that both MC's were older, I believe in their 40's. As I get older myself, I love finding books that feature older MC's. I don't always have the patience for 20 somethings or the college settings that I use to love. The paranormal side of things was really fun. I love that even though Seb is a skeptic, he still helped out Cat when asked. He supports her and doesn't criticize her. The secondary romance centered around the spirit haunting the hotel was really touching. You can tell the author did their research.
In the end, I really enjoyed this read! It kept me hooked from the start, the plot flowed nicely, and the relationship between the MC's felt natural. A very solid friends to lovers story.
January 29, 2025
Cat and Sebastian have been friends forever, but nothing more. Cat is a professor by day and ghost hunter by night. Sebastian works a a local hotel with a legend of a ghost. When Cat decides to investigate and Sebastian helps her they might just find more than they bargained for. Uncovering the story of the alleged ghost might just be the push the friends need to become something more.
I am always a fan of Dani Elias’ romance novellas, but this might have been my favorite yet. I loved the friends to lovers in this book and thought Cat and Sebastian were so good together. I am not a fan of ghosts and paranormal activity usually, but I loved it in this book and thought it was really well done. The story that was told with the ghost and the love letters from the early 1900s gave this book a great historical romance subplot that added so much to this story. I read this in one sitting and still wanted more. If you are looking for a quick romance novella with a twist this one is worth picking up!
I am always a fan of Dani Elias’ romance novellas, but this might have been my favorite yet. I loved the friends to lovers in this book and thought Cat and Sebastian were so good together. I am not a fan of ghosts and paranormal activity usually, but I loved it in this book and thought it was really well done. The story that was told with the ghost and the love letters from the early 1900s gave this book a great historical romance subplot that added so much to this story. I read this in one sitting and still wanted more. If you are looking for a quick romance novella with a twist this one is worth picking up!
February 2, 2025
This is the first book that I've read of Dani Elias' that deals with the supernatural, and I love it. Not because the Hotel might be haunted, but because of the story she wove with the love that was missed with the ghost from the WWI era. The story within the story tugged at my heartstrings just like Cat's. For an author to weave such tales and make us care about the secondary characters, PRICELESS!
Sebastian and Catherine have been best friends for a very long time. And ten years ago, they may have kissed and agreed to just brush it under the rug. But how long will that last? Only time will tell.
I missed having more of the other Greenview Manor characters mentioned in this book, but the backstory had me saying, "Next time Dani, next time."
I can't wait to see what else Ms. Elias has to give us in this series. If you're into small town, friends to lovers (and boy does that part steam you up) books, then this one is for you.
Sebastian and Catherine have been best friends for a very long time. And ten years ago, they may have kissed and agreed to just brush it under the rug. But how long will that last? Only time will tell.
I missed having more of the other Greenview Manor characters mentioned in this book, but the backstory had me saying, "Next time Dani, next time."
I can't wait to see what else Ms. Elias has to give us in this series. If you're into small town, friends to lovers (and boy does that part steam you up) books, then this one is for you.
February 26, 2025
SPOOKILY good fun!
“[they] didn’t get a choice. …But we do.
We have a choice.
And I don’t want to let it slip by because I was too scared to take a chance.”
🫦 2.5 Spice
📍 5 Plot
🧨5 Tension
🔍4 Mystery
🌟5 Overall
This was an absolute “smash-it-out-of-the-park” for me!
A short, sweet but lightly spicy novella is just perfect – a hint of mystery, a dash of history, a splash of paranormal, and the bonus, despite being barely over 100 pages, it had a story within a story!
Not just that, but it actually was a great, cohesive novella! I would have happily read a full length 250-300 pages of this story where certain elements that were readily available in the novella version had to be sleuthed out a bit more, toss in a little extra intrigue, etc., up the “forced proximity” bit.
Regardless, that’s me going down a massive rabbit hole of dreaming how to make an already phenomenal book longer.
Like I said, it doesn’t need it!
Thank you to Ms. Dani Elias & the team at Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read and review this fantastic short story
All opinions are my own.
“[they] didn’t get a choice. …But we do.
We have a choice.
And I don’t want to let it slip by because I was too scared to take a chance.”
🫦 2.5 Spice
📍 5 Plot
🧨5 Tension
🔍4 Mystery
🌟5 Overall
This was an absolute “smash-it-out-of-the-park” for me!
A short, sweet but lightly spicy novella is just perfect – a hint of mystery, a dash of history, a splash of paranormal, and the bonus, despite being barely over 100 pages, it had a story within a story!
Not just that, but it actually was a great, cohesive novella! I would have happily read a full length 250-300 pages of this story where certain elements that were readily available in the novella version had to be sleuthed out a bit more, toss in a little extra intrigue, etc., up the “forced proximity” bit.
Regardless, that’s me going down a massive rabbit hole of dreaming how to make an already phenomenal book longer.
Like I said, it doesn’t need it!
Thank you to Ms. Dani Elias & the team at Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read and review this fantastic short story
All opinions are my own.
January 24, 2025
I LOVE a good ghost story and what a better read than the final book of the Greenview Manor Tales, Spellbinding Spirits by Dani Elias. Like a sucker for Dani Elias I am, I read this the day I received it, right after reading book 4. Cat and Sebby are long distance friends. Cat is a p[arapsychology professor during the day and ghost hunter at night, working in a big city and traveling for adventures. Sebastian, aka Sebby, works as the front of house manager for Greenview Manor, in a small city. The two don’t see each other often, but when Cat hears about the manor being haunted by the ghost of a woman who lost her love at war in the early 1900’s, she HAS to investigate, roping her long time friends into the investigation. The discover of the love story between now ghosts Sally and George has Cat and Sebastian realizing they should follow their feelings because you never know what is going to happen.
I am in love with this story, Sally and George, Cat and Sebastian and the amount of research Dani Elias did for this book. The dedication is a must read!
AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 7TH, right in time for Valentine’s Day!
I am in love with this story, Sally and George, Cat and Sebastian and the amount of research Dani Elias did for this book. The dedication is a must read!
AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 7TH, right in time for Valentine’s Day!
February 7, 2025
This book reminded me of all of the ghost hunting reality shows I was a fan of! The added bonus in this book is that it has the romantic element I also love!
Sebby and Cat have been friends for over 20 years. They had one attempt to foray into the lovers arena about a decade ago, but quickly decided they would make better friends.
But when an opportunity arises that college professor and paranormal investigator Cat can study the reportedly haunted Greenview Manor, Sebby, the front desk manager, is thrilled to have her visit. He doesn't believe in ghosts himself, but is intrigued by the work Cat does.
One of the hotel's most famous ghosts is Sally, who was a maid that came to a tragic end after losing contact with her boyfriend George during World War I. Cat is determined to uncover the real story and it is a heartbreaking one!
Meanwhile, Sebby and Cat take this time to re-evaluate the dynamics of their relationship. Will they take a chance on love?
Sebby and Cat have been friends for over 20 years. They had one attempt to foray into the lovers arena about a decade ago, but quickly decided they would make better friends.
But when an opportunity arises that college professor and paranormal investigator Cat can study the reportedly haunted Greenview Manor, Sebby, the front desk manager, is thrilled to have her visit. He doesn't believe in ghosts himself, but is intrigued by the work Cat does.
One of the hotel's most famous ghosts is Sally, who was a maid that came to a tragic end after losing contact with her boyfriend George during World War I. Cat is determined to uncover the real story and it is a heartbreaking one!
Meanwhile, Sebby and Cat take this time to re-evaluate the dynamics of their relationship. Will they take a chance on love?
February 8, 2025
Book 5 of the Greenview Manor Tales, it reads like a standalone so I wasn’t lost at all. A sweet friends to lovers romance where two friends rediscover their connection while learning about a love shared from the past.
Friends for over 10 years, Cat asks Sebastian for help investigating the manor he works at as part of her paranormal investigation into the history of Sally, a maid who worked there in the early 1900s. While he’s a skeptic of ghosts and their existence, he’d never turn down the chance to spend time with a long time friend.
The progression in this is the right speed and pace and, as someone that’s watched a lot of paranormal shows, Cat’s actions were very familiar to me. The tenderness between her and Sebastian really showed how much they’ve known each other and they have such a unique chemistry. This was really a lovely book taking place in a small town in a cozy hotel. Quite a joy to read between the bigger novels to come.
Friends for over 10 years, Cat asks Sebastian for help investigating the manor he works at as part of her paranormal investigation into the history of Sally, a maid who worked there in the early 1900s. While he’s a skeptic of ghosts and their existence, he’d never turn down the chance to spend time with a long time friend.
The progression in this is the right speed and pace and, as someone that’s watched a lot of paranormal shows, Cat’s actions were very familiar to me. The tenderness between her and Sebastian really showed how much they’ve known each other and they have such a unique chemistry. This was really a lovely book taking place in a small town in a cozy hotel. Quite a joy to read between the bigger novels to come.
January 25, 2025
"But for the record I don't believe in ghosts."
"You don't have to," she says, her voice light but her gaze steady. "I know you believe in me."
~Novella
~Friends to lovers
~Hints of paranormal
~Lost letters
This was definitely something a little different from Dani, but I still loved it! I typically don't enjoy anything fantasy/paranormal but I ate this up in one sitting, per usual with any Dani book. I loved both MC's--I love that Dani always writes MC's that are a little older than most books. The history portions were so interesting to me, especially since I don't know a whole lot of British history, but it didn't feel overwhelming or that it lead the story. Dani--thanks again, as always, for letting me binge this early <3
"You don't have to," she says, her voice light but her gaze steady. "I know you believe in me."
~Novella
~Friends to lovers
~Hints of paranormal
~Lost letters
This was definitely something a little different from Dani, but I still loved it! I typically don't enjoy anything fantasy/paranormal but I ate this up in one sitting, per usual with any Dani book. I loved both MC's--I love that Dani always writes MC's that are a little older than most books. The history portions were so interesting to me, especially since I don't know a whole lot of British history, but it didn't feel overwhelming or that it lead the story. Dani--thanks again, as always, for letting me binge this early <3
February 1, 2025
3.5⭐
1 🌶️
Tropes/Themes: paranormal romance, friends to lovers, ghost hunter FMC.
Dual POV 1st person
I really like the idea of this story, but I feel like there’s two different stories going on that aren’t meshing. On one hand you have the paranormal investigation, and then surprise, we have feelings for each other! Like the leap from friends to lovers wasn’t that convincing and I didn’t see the chemistry there. I think maybe if there had been more character development with Cat and Sebby it would’ve helped. I know this is a novella so things have to happen fast but I haven’t seen this issue with Elias’ other books. I also wish there had been more resolution with Sally, it just sorta ended IMO. I’m a big fan of Elias’ writing, but this one fell flat for me unfortunately.
1 🌶️
Tropes/Themes: paranormal romance, friends to lovers, ghost hunter FMC.
Dual POV 1st person
I really like the idea of this story, but I feel like there’s two different stories going on that aren’t meshing. On one hand you have the paranormal investigation, and then surprise, we have feelings for each other! Like the leap from friends to lovers wasn’t that convincing and I didn’t see the chemistry there. I think maybe if there had been more character development with Cat and Sebby it would’ve helped. I know this is a novella so things have to happen fast but I haven’t seen this issue with Elias’ other books. I also wish there had been more resolution with Sally, it just sorta ended IMO. I’m a big fan of Elias’ writing, but this one fell flat for me unfortunately.
February 5, 2025
Catherine (Cat) and Sebastian (Sebby) have been friends for the longest time. Cat visits Greenview Manor where he works to conduct a paranormal investigation into the lives of George and Sally, who were lovers back during the World War I period.
As they spend more time in close proximity, the embers of a possible relationship beyond friendship spark between them. When an investigation leads them to a heartbreaking story, it finally leads them to open up their hearts and minds for a new possibility.
I loved the close friendship between them and it was interesting to learn how paranormal investigations work. Those letters from George were so touching and it definitely makes me want to appreciate my loved ones more, instead of waiting for the “right moment”.
As they spend more time in close proximity, the embers of a possible relationship beyond friendship spark between them. When an investigation leads them to a heartbreaking story, it finally leads them to open up their hearts and minds for a new possibility.
I loved the close friendship between them and it was interesting to learn how paranormal investigations work. Those letters from George were so touching and it definitely makes me want to appreciate my loved ones more, instead of waiting for the “right moment”.
February 6, 2025
3.5⭐️ rounded up
Spellbinding Spirit is the final novella in the Greenview Manor series. I really enjoyed the dual storylines in this one. First, we have the friends to lovers story of Cat and Sebby. Then we have the paranormal story, which Cat and Sebby are trying to solve, of Sally and George. I must admit that I loved Sally and George's story more than Cat and Sebby's. I found the story of Sally and George to be more meaningful and heartbreaking. I felt more connection between them than I did the two MC of Cat and Seb. I felt Cat and Seb's love story was a bit rushed, and they lacked an emotional connection for me. Regardless, I still loved this story. I love anything paranormal, and it was a great addition to this series.
Spellbinding Spirit is the final novella in the Greenview Manor series. I really enjoyed the dual storylines in this one. First, we have the friends to lovers story of Cat and Sebby. Then we have the paranormal story, which Cat and Sebby are trying to solve, of Sally and George. I must admit that I loved Sally and George's story more than Cat and Sebby's. I found the story of Sally and George to be more meaningful and heartbreaking. I felt more connection between them than I did the two MC of Cat and Seb. I felt Cat and Seb's love story was a bit rushed, and they lacked an emotional connection for me. Regardless, I still loved this story. I love anything paranormal, and it was a great addition to this series.
February 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this novella in the Greenview Manor series. This is the fifth novella and it did not disappoint.
It had one of my favorite tropes: friends to lovers, and it was mixed with some paranormal activity which I loved.
Sebastian and Cat have a close friendship and I enjoyed getting to witness their friendship blossom into more. Another thing I liked was that even though Sebastian was skeptical of the paranormal activity he still supported Cat and never made her feel ridiculous for believing.
This novella was not super spicy but they were a few scenes so I would give this a 3 on the spice rating.
Thank you so much to the author and Happily Booked PR for an advance copy of this novella!
It had one of my favorite tropes: friends to lovers, and it was mixed with some paranormal activity which I loved.
Sebastian and Cat have a close friendship and I enjoyed getting to witness their friendship blossom into more. Another thing I liked was that even though Sebastian was skeptical of the paranormal activity he still supported Cat and never made her feel ridiculous for believing.
This novella was not super spicy but they were a few scenes so I would give this a 3 on the spice rating.
Thank you so much to the author and Happily Booked PR for an advance copy of this novella!
February 7, 2025
Sabastian just gets Catherine, knows how she ticks. She’s no humdrum albeit a bit of a conundrum to others . She’s a university professor by day and then ghost hunter extraordinaire at night . He’s her best friend and has something for her to look into. There’s things that go bump in the night at the hotel where he works….He’s about to be promoted and what better last night as night manager after all of these years is to have Cat by his side allaying all of his fears. Heck if he gets to spend the night with her ,he’ll take it ,even if he has to fake it…nah he wouldn’t do that ,but ya see he doesn’t quite believe so there is that…Great storytelling ,compellingly as ever ?Dani Elias is so darn clever . Writing sublime and the storytelling good , just as I knew it would be.
February 8, 2025
There’s something about Dani Elias’ books that makes you want to get cozy, curl up on the couch and dive in to her story. Which is what I did with this book.
A really true friends to lovers story, Sebby who runs the front desk at a storied hotel and Cat, a professor with a love of ghost hunting. She is investigating just that at Sebby’s hotel. At the core of this book is the story behind what is the believed ghost that haunts the hotel. A story of love and loss and honestly that story is what hooked me into this book. Really the moral of the story is to embrace today because you don’t know if you have tomorrow. It’s a short novella style book but the writing draws you in and gets you invested quickly!
A really true friends to lovers story, Sebby who runs the front desk at a storied hotel and Cat, a professor with a love of ghost hunting. She is investigating just that at Sebby’s hotel. At the core of this book is the story behind what is the believed ghost that haunts the hotel. A story of love and loss and honestly that story is what hooked me into this book. Really the moral of the story is to embrace today because you don’t know if you have tomorrow. It’s a short novella style book but the writing draws you in and gets you invested quickly!
February 10, 2025
Tropes:
👻friends to lovers
👻she's a ghosthunter
👻older MC's
👻"it's always been you"
i cannot believe we've finally reached the end of the Greenview Manor Tales. I have enjoyed all of these short novellas in this universe. Sebastian and Catherine have been friends since college, but after a failed one night stand, didn't want to risk their friendship pursuing anything more. When Catherine comes to visit Greenview Manor to look into paranormal activity about a woman that was haunting the manor waiting for her soldier home, the two finally give into the attraction they've had for years, not wanting to end up like the ghosts. Another quick read, but definitely an emotional one, with two intertwined stories that span decades.
Thank you to Dani and Happily Booked PR for the eARC.
👻friends to lovers
👻she's a ghosthunter
👻older MC's
👻"it's always been you"
i cannot believe we've finally reached the end of the Greenview Manor Tales. I have enjoyed all of these short novellas in this universe. Sebastian and Catherine have been friends since college, but after a failed one night stand, didn't want to risk their friendship pursuing anything more. When Catherine comes to visit Greenview Manor to look into paranormal activity about a woman that was haunting the manor waiting for her soldier home, the two finally give into the attraction they've had for years, not wanting to end up like the ghosts. Another quick read, but definitely an emotional one, with two intertwined stories that span decades.
Thank you to Dani and Happily Booked PR for the eARC.
February 11, 2025
Unresolved love, and ghosts Spellbinding Spirit follows two love stories in two different times. You get a glimpse into George and Sallys love from 1915 through love letters that were found. Catherine is a ghost hunter by night, a professor by day and Sebatian is a hotel manager that facilitates Catherine’s ghost communications. They both have been friends for over 20 years and have never fully committed to taking the relationship further. Spellbinding Spirits is a novella where you get to experience the love of George and Sally have the ending that they needed for closure but you also get the beginning of a beautiful relationship that has taken time to develop. Friends to Lovers but making sure that through it you do not compromise on the basis in which it started from.
January 24, 2025
This is a sweet conclusion to the Greenview Manor series. Cat and Sebastian have been friends since their twenties and don’t want to cross the line from friends as they don't want to ruin everything. Seb is the manager of the Greenview manor, Cat is coming to visit and while down she wants to do some paranormal investigating of a heartbreaking story of a maid from the manor from the war years. I really enjoyed their relationship and banter. Seb is a sweetheart even if he’s sceptical. I loved seeing the aspects of paranormal investigating throughout the book, it’s a very intriguing concept. I”m sad to see the series ending but look forward to see what comes next.
January 26, 2025
This was cute! It was different than my normal read and Dani's normal writing.
I'm usually not one to like paranormal stuff books, movies or shows but this was good!
I really liked Cat. I loved her belief in what she did and that she was so passionate about it. Reading about her doing her job and explaining things was fun and interesting!
I liked Sebby. He was funny. I loved that he was skeptic but still went along and supported Cat through it all even while sitting and trying to talk to Sally.
The story that I actually loved in this story was Sally and George's and finding out their love story and their tragic end. It really was heartbreaking and beautiful all in one.
I'm usually not one to like paranormal stuff books, movies or shows but this was good!
I really liked Cat. I loved her belief in what she did and that she was so passionate about it. Reading about her doing her job and explaining things was fun and interesting!
I liked Sebby. He was funny. I loved that he was skeptic but still went along and supported Cat through it all even while sitting and trying to talk to Sally.
The story that I actually loved in this story was Sally and George's and finding out their love story and their tragic end. It really was heartbreaking and beautiful all in one.
February 2, 2025
♡ ︎🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆 ♡
𝓢𝓹𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓫𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝚂𝙿𝙸𝚁𝙸𝚃
By 𝖣𝖠𝖭𝖨 𝖤𝖫𝖨𝖠𝖲
𝓢𝓹𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓫𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝚂𝙿𝙸𝚁𝙸𝚃 was a short, sweet & a suspense small town romance. Dani writes amazing novellas! I love any story’s that have friends to lovers. This story was very well written & loved the characters. Cat & Sebastian have been friends forever. They finally start developing feelings for each other while ghost hunting at the hotel Sebastian works at. I thought that was pretty cool & interesting. The paranormal ghost hunting part of the story was well done. I like how Dani added history into it. It all just went well together. If you’re looking for a short, sweet small town romance with a little ghost hunting… this is for you!
𝓢𝓹𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓫𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝚂𝙿𝙸𝚁𝙸𝚃
By 𝖣𝖠𝖭𝖨 𝖤𝖫𝖨𝖠𝖲
𝓢𝓹𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓫𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝚂𝙿𝙸𝚁𝙸𝚃 was a short, sweet & a suspense small town romance. Dani writes amazing novellas! I love any story’s that have friends to lovers. This story was very well written & loved the characters. Cat & Sebastian have been friends forever. They finally start developing feelings for each other while ghost hunting at the hotel Sebastian works at. I thought that was pretty cool & interesting. The paranormal ghost hunting part of the story was well done. I like how Dani added history into it. It all just went well together. If you’re looking for a short, sweet small town romance with a little ghost hunting… this is for you!
February 3, 2025
Spellbinding Spirit is book five of the Greenview Manor Tales Series.
This one was a bit of a different take. We get to go ghost hunting in the Greenview Manor. We get to delve into the history a bit and see the ghost Sally that is haunting the manor. Her history with her love is a sad one, but it helps to bring Catherine and Sebastian together after being friends for twenty years.
I really enjoyed this one as the story wasn't rushed. We got to see two love stories play out in the book. One sad and one happy. This really was an emotional book, but it was so good. Definitely recommend.
This one was a bit of a different take. We get to go ghost hunting in the Greenview Manor. We get to delve into the history a bit and see the ghost Sally that is haunting the manor. Her history with her love is a sad one, but it helps to bring Catherine and Sebastian together after being friends for twenty years.
I really enjoyed this one as the story wasn't rushed. We got to see two love stories play out in the book. One sad and one happy. This really was an emotional book, but it was so good. Definitely recommend.
February 4, 2025
I have been on exactly ONE paranormal investigation 👻 in my lifetime. And let me just say.. it did NOT go down like that! And I'm so disappointed in my personal experience 😭. I typically stay away from the ‘friends to lovers’ trope because I have that trope in my real life, but the more I experience this with Dani Elias, the more it is growing on me. Now, as for the important question.. do I believe in ghosts? Well, I typically side more with Sebastian, but after reading this novella.. I'm really not sure what my answer is to that question anymore 🤔. Not a good answer? Go read this book and it will be 😘!
February 5, 2025
This story is about Sebastian and Catherine(Cat). Sebastian works at the Greenvview Manor and Cat is a parapsychology professor but she also do paranormal investigation. They have been best friend for 20 years and would do nothing to ruin this. She comes to his hotel for a visit to try to reach the spirit of a maid (Sally) from WW1 and reunite her with her beloved (George) who never returned from the war. During which spark rekindle between both of them.
I was so invest up in the whole story from start to end. By just reading the prologues I was so intrigue about Sally and George ‘s story, it was so sad what happen with them. If possible i would love to read more about them.
I was so invest up in the whole story from start to end. By just reading the prologues I was so intrigue about Sally and George ‘s story, it was so sad what happen with them. If possible i would love to read more about them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews