Girl Haunts Boy: A Novel

by Cesar Vitale

This heartfelt and sweet YA romance follows a boy who falls for the ghost haunting his family’s new house—perfect for fans of My Life with the Walter Boys and The Dead Romantics. Soon to be an original film starring Peyton List (Cobra Kai, School Spirits) and Michael Cimino (Love, Victor, Never Have I Ever)!

After the death of his father, Cole and his mother move from New York City to a sleepy town in Jersey for a fresh start. There’s just one problem—Cole is shocked to learn he’s sharing a room in his new house with the ghost of 17-year-old Bea, who died in the 1920s and is under the curse of an ancient ring. 

When Cole wears the ring, he's able to see Bea, and the two become fast friends over their shared love of music. As Cole and Bea start to develop strong feelings for each other, Cole discovers a way to undo the curse—which would mean that Bea's spirit can finally move on. Faced with an impossible choice, Cole must decide if he's willing to lose the girl he loves forever.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

272 pages, Paperback

Published October 22, 2024

About the author

Cesar Vitale was born in Santos, Brazil. He earned his Communications degree from ESPM-SP college and moved to the United States soon after, where he received his Screenwriting certificate from UCLA Extension.

He is a recipient of the Academy Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting and an Academy Gold Alumnus.

He currently lives in California.

Reviews

[momaddictedtobooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I watched this on Netflix a bit ago. I decided to listen to the audiobook. It was pretty good and reminded me of the movie. It’s really cute and sweet!

[Patty (IheartYA311) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, quick, and easy read. There were parts which could have been more complex to add more emotional depth ad character development. The writing was very simple.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watched the movie on Netflix before I discovered that this was also a book. Both the movie and book WOWED me! This is about Bea who is from the 1920s stuck as a ghost and cursed by a ring she had accidentally stolen from a museum. She is trapped in her house as a ghost until Cole and his mother move into the house. When Cole puts on the ring he is able to see and hear Bea, but not touch her. At first Cole wants nothing to do with the ghost, but changes his mind when his mother almost finds out about the ghost. Cole is lonely ever since his father died as well so making a friend in an abnormal sense doesn't seem so bad after coming around to the idea. Cole catches Bea up on what happened in the last nearly one hundred years since her death. They both also share a love of music that immediately bonds them together. They spend their days mostly talking about music, but Cole also discovers all of Bea's dreams before she had died. Bea doubts herself because back in her time girls weren't known for such activities such as flying planes, but Cole inspires her and tells her she absolutely could have done anything she wanted to. They both fall in love with each other despite their odds of ever truly being together in this universe. They even get to share one night where they can touch and kiss on Bea's death anniversary day. But Bea and Cole's beautiful days in each other's company may come to an end with his supernatural obsessed friend Lydia discovers that Cole has this powerful ring and she tells him how the rings need to be reunited and set a trapped ghost free to move on. But with the loss of Cole's dad still somewhat fresh he's at a crossroads of telling Bea the truth and letting her go or keeping this information to himself and having Bea in his life. Ever since Bea came into Cole's life he felt happy again and is afraid to let her go along with that new found happiness. I absolutely adored this story about Cole and Bea! The book gave a more emotional detailed aspect which I appreciated. It feels like the movie slacked on that a little, but the end of the movie had me bawling tears. But I love and appreciate both this novel and the movie for different reasons. I love that Bea was so headstrong and ahead of her time. I loved that Cole was a gentleman and a sweetheart once you got to know the person he was underneath that exterior of trying to hide himself. I also loved the quick although short-lived friendship between Bea and Lydia towards the end of the book that developed. This is definitely one of my most favorite books and I'm so happy I loved the book this much!

[Alyce Caswell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shortly after she steals a ring from a museum, Bea meets her timely end when a streetcar strikes her down. She regains consciousness as a ghost a century later and finds herself haunting her old house - which Cole has just moved into. Cole doesn't believe in ghosts and he's definitely not in the mood to share a bedroom with one. But maybe he and Bea aren't as different as they seem.

This is your typical YA ghost romance fare. The way it was written reminded me of the kinds of stories I inhaled back in the late 1990s and early 2000s - but I have to admit that some of them, just like this book, badly needed more depth. Bea also didn't seem authentically 1920s. Her dialogue felt forced whenever Vitale peppered it with older phrases. This all said, it was a sweet, short read.

[Erica angell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girl Haunts Boy was an absolute delight! This book was so fun and so freaking cute. I couldn’t get enough of Bea and Cole—everything about their dynamic was cutesy in the best way possible.

I actually saw the movie first (who knew it was based on a book?), and while the movie was great, the book was on another level. It had so much more depth, charm, and those tiny, heartwarming moments that only a book can capture. Bea and Cole’s chemistry practically leapt off the page, and I found myself rooting for them with every turn.

This story had the perfect balance of humor, romance, and a touch of the supernatural that made it stand out. It’s one of those books that leaves you with a big smile and a full heart. If you’re looking for something lighthearted and adorable, Girl Haunts Boy should be at the top of your list!

5 stars for a hauntingly good time!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after I saw the movie because the movie was too rushed. I hoped the book would answer my questions. Most of my questions were answered. I didn’t mind the big differences because of the way the book is set up. Bea and Cole tell their story in alternate chapters. I enjoyed the developed details in each chapter. Two things I missed were the words to the songs and the text of Cole’s paper for English class. Similar movies include Just Like Heaven and the Back to the Future trilogy.

[Casey DeMoss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like reading books before I watch the move/show. I had seen this at Books-A-Million and love Peyton List, and it sounded interesting. I thought it was a cute and sweet read. It did take me a little bit to get into it in the beginning, but once I did, I went through it pretty fast. I would recommend!

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Watched movie on Netflix 10-16-2024, it was slow and the opening song, what in the world, tightrope?, SUCH A STUPID SONG! I just wasted 2 hours of my life that I can never get back. The only decent sceen was the ending with the photo album, showing Bea grew up.

[Aubrey Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is def a quick read. Not an in-depth, make you get in your feels type story, but engaging enough. It’s predictable with a very slight spin at the end. If you have a full day off on a cold day, this is a fine YA romance novels to curl up and read

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Watched the movie randomly and really enjoyed it and so when I found out there was a book, I had to read it. Small differences between the two but for the most part pretty similar. While not the most amazing book, definitely a sweet quick read (that I would have loved when I was back in HS). Honestly one of the better contemporary romance books I’ve read in awhile. A good ending but I’m a sucker for unrealistic happy endings too which I wished for here lol

[Saranya ⋆☕︎ ˖ [hibernating] · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this:(